Artificial or Real? 1 John 2:5,6

Hello all.  How are you this fine day?  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!

    This morning I did not feel led to any message, and having stopped and prayed again I came across some passages that really touched me.  I hope and pray they touch you as they did me.
     Obedience to God is an expression of our love for God.  Sometimes we become so heavenly minded we are no earthly good.  Maybe this was what was happening early this morning.
    There is a Christian song out about just going through the motions.  We, as Christians need to be cautious about just going through the motions and not being a "real Christian" with the glory going to God.
      A church in Illinois had a belfry when it was first built but did not have the money for the bells.  Well, on their 25th anniversary they had money to purchase bells.  Now, not just any bells, these were special bells, a grand sight to view indeed. However, there was just a little problem, no one would be able to hear the bells!  Why, you ask.  Because they were magnificent, BUT artificial.  They had not sound, the congregation would never hear them ring.
    Do you ever feel your life is like this.? You are an artificial bell, just hanging around, looking good, but no sound comes forth.  The proof that people truly know and love God is found in submitting to His authority and to His word.
     1 John 2:5-6 "But whoever keeps His Word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. by this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked."
    Read those words John wrote again, slowly, and aloud.  Are YOU walking just as HE walked?
Obedience!  The Word! JESUS!  "Sir, we would see Jesus!"
    In Christ's Love and Grace
        Johnny