How to Know if You Love God (1)

(1) There must be an esteem of God and Christ. A high esteeming and prizing of God and his love above all things in the world.
a. This valuing is known by choice. What a man esteems and values highly he chooses above all things in the world and what a man chooses is seen by his life and actions. We see this in Moses. He had a high esteem of the state of God's afflicted people. Upon his estimation he made a choice: 'He chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season' (Heb. 11:26). His choice followed his esteem. If we value and love God above all things, we will choose the Lord. As Peter said when Christ asked them, 'Will you also forsake me?' he said, 'Lord, where shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ (John 6:68). Have you with Mary chosen the better part? (Luke 10:42).
b. Our esteem is known by our willingness to part with anything for that which we esteem. As a wise merchant does sell all for the pearl (Matt. 13:46). If we sell all for the truth of God, and part with all, and deny all for the love and obedience of it, it is a sign we have an esteem answerable to his worth. Those that will part with nothing for God when they are called to it, do they talk of love to God? They have no love because they have no esteem.
c. What we esteem highly of we speak largely of. A man is always eloquent in what he esteems. You never knew a man in want of words for what he prized. When we are in want of words to praise God, and to set out the value of the best things, it is an argument we have poor esteem of them. If a man esteems the best things, he will be often speaking of them.
d. Esteem likewise carries our thoughts. Would you know what you esteem highly? What do you think of most and highest? You may know it by that.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Glance of Heaven, Works, vol. 4, pp. 183-84
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