I recently watched some of a video clip of a Calvinist minister undermining children who were being baptized at a church he doesn’t approve of. One of the children stated that they wanted to be baptized because they loved Jesus. The Calvinist minister claimed that saying “I love Jesus” is not a testimony and discredited the little girl’s salvation.

Well, what does the Bible say about loving Jesus?

Actually a lot!

And if loving Jesus isn’t a good reason to be baptized, then there isn’t one. 

Paul tells the Ephesians Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen (Ephesians 6:24). And Peter says,  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory… (1 Peter 1:8).

We also know that love is of God and everyone that loves is born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7). Consequently, we love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:18). God who predestined us to be his children in love (Ephesians 1:4-5) assures us that
all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). Furthermore, it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Paul tells us that if any man love God, the same is known of him (1 Corinthians 8:3), and if any man does not love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha – accursed when the Lord comes (1 Corinthians 16:22).

It is God himself who directs our hearts in the love of God (2 Thessalonians 3:5), and there is a crown of life which is laid up for those who endure temptation because they love the Lord (James 1:12). Paul says, there is a crown of righteousness laid up for all who love the Lord’s appearing at his coming (1 Timothy 4:8). In fact, James says that the kingdom is promised to them who love him (James 2:5).

When someone wants to be baptized because they love Jesus, they have met all requirements for salvation and eternal life. There is nothing any of us could do that improves on loving Jesus!

How sweet it is!