OUTLINE:

“because you have done this thing”
The LORD reveals a cause-effect relationship between loving Him more than our greatest loved ones and blessings.

Ro 2:6
[God] WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.

“because you have done this thing”
The LORD reveals a cause-effect relationship between loving Him more than our greatest loved ones and blessings.

Ex 20:5
“for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me.”

The Greatest Blessing Of All?
Love.
To be loved.
To love God, and to love others.

Perspective
How about looking at Abraham's test as a test of love, as well? Gen 22:1-18, Heb 11:17-19

1Co 13:13
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

The Blessing Of Loved Ones
Are those people and those relationships more precious to you than the Lord Himself???

Jesus demands that we are His first love, or there will be discipline!
(cp Rev 2:4-5)

“My food is to do…”
This may seem like a paradox to some (especially unbelievers); however, it is fundamental to our spiritual walk. We “do” in order to be sustained.

Jn 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Jn 17:13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.

Unholy “Blessings” Are Distractions
If it takes you away from your First Love, it’s unholy (aka not good). WARNING: do NOT look for loop holes or try to justify your sinning by overcomplicating this simple statement (that’s called “lawyering,” something Satan is a master at).

“devoting”
from proskartereo - to attend constantly; to stand at the ready; persevering affection

“continuing with one mind”
from proskatereo humothumadon - means “steadfastly continuing with one accord”; in context, describes the strong fellowship in the early church (something every church should strive for and protect)

“adding to their number”
This is the opposite of having a church’s “lampstand” removed (ala Rev 2:5). This church in Ac 2 was fervently loving the Lord and therefore its lampstand was established all the more!