Loving God

But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:34-40

The good news of the gospel is not only that God loves us but we can love Him too. He told us to love Him like no other. He knew we would serve, obey, and follow the One we love.

Loving God involves affections, that is the engagement of emotions. Are you stirred in your heart to worship Him as you consider His greatness? Are you occasionally moved to tears by an awareness of His sacrifice for your sin? Is there a sense of awe and wonder deep within as you read His Word and quiet yourself in prayer?

Loving God involves the stimulation of mind. Study, read, and search the Scriptures where He is revealed. You are a disciple, a learner, of who Christ is and what He seeks to do in your life.

Loving God involves the will. You do what He says, whether or not you feel like it and whether or not you understand all the implications. The disciples put down their belongings and followed Christ long before they came to full love or knowledge of Him. That is the same lifestyle we are called to imitate today.

God wants you to love Him - He commands you so. You can do this because even when you stumble and fail, He loves you. That should arouse you to renewed devotion to a Savior who takes great delight in His children.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15