Last week’s article was about how to develop Charity (which we identified is the pure love of Christ) in one’s life. This week, I thought it would be appropriate to share how you can measure the extent that you have Christ’s love in your heart. These suggestions were given by members of our Stake Presidency on how to measure if one has pure love, or charity in their heart:
1. You feel a sincere desire to help others
2. Praying daily for charity
3. Looking for opportunities to serve, first within your own home and then with your neighbors
4. Being kind and patient in word and deed (even when it is hard)
5. Thinking about others’ needs
He had about 4-5 more that he discussed, but he talked so fast I couldn’t write them all down!
Some additional ideas I considered afterwards include:
1. Willingness to forgive
2. Not judging others
What other ways would you suggest as a good way to measure if on has the pure love of Jesus?
Grace for Grace 
12 comments
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February 18, 2012 at 6:01 pm
Cal
If you start feeling jealous or envious of someone, then you know you’re slipping.
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February 20, 2012 at 9:25 am
graceforgrace
Hi Cal,
Very good point. If you feel jealousy or envy, how do you recommend overcoming that and getting back on track?
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February 20, 2012 at 5:59 pm
Cal
I ask the Lord to help me change my thoughts, then I make the attempt to change my thoughts.
If that doesn’t do the trick I know my faith needs strengthening so I increase my Bible reading and/or prayer time.
I may also pray for the person I’m jealous of to be successful.
Romans 6 and many other places say God has given us power over sin, in Christ!
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February 22, 2012 at 3:42 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Cal,
Thanks for your thoughts. I think it is important that you mentioned that you do something. As the scripture goes…faith without works is dead. You don’t just pray and do nothing and expect a miracle. You pray and have faith in God that He will heal you if you also do your part (however small and insignificant that may be compared to God i.e. reading the Word of God, praying, etc.).
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February 23, 2012 at 6:51 pm
Cal
Well said, graceforgrace.
James 4:7-8 come to mind: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Lots for us to do there—submit, resist, come near.
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February 19, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Angie
Having clear definitions of right and wrong behavior, while at the same time loving those who engage in wrong behavior (including ourselves)
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February 20, 2012 at 9:26 am
graceforgrace
Hi Angie,
Those are very good and deep points. Do you have any examples that you could share?
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February 20, 2012 at 1:51 pm
ezra
Measuring our “love for Christ” is pointless. The pharisees tried this and garnered only God’s wrath. Jesus answered this best, I believe, in the parable of the sheep and goats. The sheep had no idea that they needed to keep track. The goats were sure that they had done everything for Jesus’ sake. Who were welcomed as worthy servants? The ones who simply lived their life in faith; believing is the work of God and it bears fruit naturally in the lives of his people.
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February 22, 2012 at 3:37 pm
graceforgrace
Hi Ezra,
You are correct that believing bears fruit. However, we are sinners and will always fall short. When we see ourselves falling short it is the believer who will do works to get back in the Light of the Lord. The unbeliever won’t care to.
As such, what do you do when you see yourself slipping?
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February 20, 2012 at 2:00 pm
ezra
iow,
piety and pride are famous lovers.
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February 20, 2012 at 6:10 pm
Cal
My dear brother Ezra, you are misrepresenting the evangelical viewpoint, which only works to widen the gap between us and them. You know as well as I do that walking by faith is not incompatible with examining yourself in the light of the Lord. For example, 1 Corinthians 11:28 says, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup [of communion].”
(We’ll work out these theological issues and miscommunications some day! 🙂
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February 23, 2012 at 6:54 pm
Cal
I was a bit hard on you, Ezra. Graceforgrace did better!
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