True Love

An exclusive relationship is required to experience true love

The first and greatest commandment is to the love the Lord with all your heart

Matthew 22:34-40 first and greatest commandment

All your heart

Not giving our love to any other

This level of commitment is required for love to truly flourish

Idolatry as Adultery

Ezekiel 23:5-17 idols and images

God had rescued Israel from the slavery of Egypt

There they had no freedom to love God

They were bound to another

God brought them out to be in relationship with him

Exodus 6:1-8 I will be there God

God demands an exclusive relationship just as I demand an exclusive relationship with my wife (Leviticus 26:12)

Call to Exclusivity

Matthew 10:22-39 Jesus to his disciples

We must choose Christ over all other things

Endure until the end to be saved

Confess Christ before men who want to do you harm for your faith

Take up your cross and follow Christ

This is a call to the greatest commitment

In this you will find life (true life)

You cannot serve two masters

Matthew 6:19-24 God and mammon

Who will you choose to love?

Heart not just motions

Revelation 2:1-7 Church of Ephesus

They were doing everything right

laboring and showing patience in the things of God

Seperated from those who are evil

But they left their first love

Repent and come back to Christ with all your heart, soul and mind

Endure and overcome and you will have a place in heaven