Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him?

   - James 2.5

Who can satisfy God in the last times,
when the noble rules of truth have been changed,
save for those who scorn this present world?

   - Columba, Altus Prosator, Irish, 6th century[1]

How do we know if we love God? 

James gives us a simple test: Are we poor with respect to the things and ways of the world? That is, do we treasure the things of God more than the things and ways of the world?

And are we rich in faith? Have we entered the Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit? Is seeking the Kingdom of God indeed our highest aspiration and most constant endeavor?

We cannot love God and the world (Jms. 4.4; 1 Jn. 2.15, 16). If we find that our thoughts, affections, and strength are more devoted to accumulating things, if our manner of speech mirrors that of our unsaved neighbors, and if our ways of relating to others are based on self-interest rather than self-denying service, then we have surely chosen to follow a god, but not the God of Scripture.

Loving God makes us poor toward the world and rich in the ways of faith. Moreover, if we love God we will possess His Kingdom, and possessing the Kingdom, we will demonstrate evidence of being possessed by it. Where Christ reigns supreme in the heart and life of a man, dramatic, rightside-up changes will be in evidence. Seeking the Kingdom will be our consuming passion. The power of the Kingdom will be at work within us, transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (2 Cor. 3.12-18; Eph. 4.17-24). We will conduct our affairs and manage our relationships in an envelope of peace and good will.

Loving God, we will be ruled by Him, for His glory, unto the progress of His Kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven.

Do you love God? Is it evident by your poverty toward the world, riches in faith, and fruit of the Kingdom?

Amid the shifting sands of truth in our postmodern world, our neighbors need to see living examples of steadfast love and faithfulness. Will they see them in us today?

Psalm 138.1-3 (Regent Square: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”)
I will give You thanks and praise You,
God of gods, with all my heart.
I will bow before Your temple,
Grateful praise to You impart.
For Your Name and for Your glory,
You have magnified Your Word.

Lord, my love of the world has fooled, drowned, deceived, and troubled me. Rescue me from this love, and teach me to seek my treasure only in You. Adapted from Litany of Confession