What Does Jesus Love? – Surrendering to Christ

Pastor Joseph Clark

Sin often begins small—what I call “gateway sins.” A pilot lines up with the runway miles in advance; likewise, we must align with the narrow path early (Matthew 7:13–14), before small compromises pull us into greater sin.

Even as believers, we still struggle because of our sinful nature (Romans 7:19). Yet the Holy Spirit convicts us, leads us to repentance, and helps us walk in the light (John 16:13; 1 John 1:9). We do not resist sin to earn salvation—we are saved by grace alone (Ephesians 2:8–9)—but because we love God and do not want to grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30).

A helpful test is this: Does Jesus love this?

Does Jesus love dishonesty (Proverbs 11:1)?

Does Jesus love hatred (Matthew 5:22)?

Does Jesus love impurity (Hebrews 13:4)?

When temptation comes, James 4:7 gives us hope: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

We are works in progress, but we walk with assurance: “If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).