Many Believers have made the mistake of putting the “cart before the horse” when it comes to the promises of God. They are quick to step out on faith, not realizing that faith only works by love (Galatians 5:6). It doesn’t matter how many scriptures you stand on, how hard you pray, or how much seed you sow; your heart’s desires will not manifest in your life if you have not first cultivated the fruit of love. Unfortunately, we can block the promises of God from showing up in our lives when we constantly fail to operate in love.

John 14:21 says: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” If you really love God, then you will obey His commandments. To love others is definitely a commandment (John 15:12). It is non-negotiable and completely “do-able” (1 John 5:3). God does not give a command that you are unable to carry out. The day you became born again, the Holy Spirit took up residence within you and filled you with God’s unconditional love. In other words, you were reborn in love.

Love is life, and life without love is death. “We know that we have passed over out of death into Life by the fact that we love the brethren (our fellow Christians). He who does not love abides (remains, is held and kept continually) in [spiritual] death” (1 John 3:14, AMP). This scripture makes it plain that your refusal to love others means you are spiritually dead—and spiritually dead people cannot go to heaven. Now do you see why God made loving others a commandment? By obeying His Word, you not only demonstrate your love for the Father, but you also keep yourself from spending eternity in hell!

If you want to know whether or not you have really passed from death to life, check out your love walk. Are you a respecter of persons, only loving those who are easy to love? Do you fail to tell those in your household that you love them, while at church you tell the pastor and others how much you love them? Have you forgiven those who have hurt or offended you, or are you still holding a grudge? Are you touchy, fretful, or easily offended?

You have been predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). This simply means that you are to demonstrate His nature and character to others. What is that nature and character? It is the fruit of the Spirit, which is love: joy, peace, meekness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, and temperance. When Jesus returns to gather His church, He will be looking for people who look like Him. Will He recognize you as a brother or sister? If not, I urge you to decide right now to develop in the love of God. Where there is love there is faith, which brings the manifestation of God’s wonderful promises!

— Creflo A. Dollar