Loving God
Have you ever wondered what it means and how we can love God, the Creator of the Universe? It is a big topic and we trust you will gain some insight into how we can love Him and why it is vitally important that we do so. Thank you for coming to look into the Word of God with us today. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation of His truth through His Word as you read, so that you will grow in your knowledge and love for Him this day. Eric
The best and most intimate relationships we have on the planet are those which are based and built on love.
Most words have a variety of meanings. Often, the specific meaning of a word can be determined by taking note of the context in which it is used.
"Love' is one of those words. We hear and say things like, "I love ice cream;" "I love my wife/husband;" "I love my car;" "I love my new clothes;" "I love my kids;" "I love my dog;" "I love my church;" and so on. Each of these usages indicates a different meaning. When we read the Scriptures, we see various Greek words translated into English as 'love.' 'Agape' refers to the self sacrificing, unconditional love of God. 'Eros' is used in reference to a sensual or a romantic love relationship between a man and a wife. 'Philia' conveys brotherly love or friendship and includes the interaction of care, respect and compassion you see in the church among believers. 'Storge' (Not in the New Testament) describes familial love or the natural affection between parents, children and siblings. 'Agapao' represents mankind loving as God loves, it is the highest and most selfless form or human love.
Why is it important for us to focus on the topic of love? "The concept of love is foundational and central to the Christian faith. God is the ultimate source and embodiment of love." (Topical Encyclopedia, Bible Hub). 1 John 4:8 (NIV) reveals, "Whoever does not love (agapao) does not know God, because God is love (agape)." God is 'agape' - divine love, wholehearted and unconditional love. He is wholly love. His nature is summed up in love. 'Agapao' is Christ living His life through believers.
Since God's very nature and essence is love, as those made in His image, His love is in us and is to be revealed to everyone we encounter.
It is important for us to remember in our relationship with God, that He loved us first. Romans 5:8 (NIV) reads, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 'Love' in this verse is agape and is defined as: affection, good-will, benevolence, sacrificial and unconditional love. Agape is "God's own character revealed; Christ's sacrifice enacted; and the Spirit's fruit which is produced in the believer." (Topical Lexicon, Bible Hub). Look at Romans 5:5b (BSB), "The love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit." The phrase 'poured out' indicates an overflowing measure and lavish generosity. For those who have no goodness in themselves (all of mankind), whose thoughts of their hearts are only evil( Genesis 6:5), this gift of His love through the Holy Spirit transforms and renews us.
During premarital counseling, I always begin with sharing that marriage is not a 50/50 proposition. It is a 100/100 proposition in which both the husband and wife give 100% to their spouse. When both spouses give 100% to the marriage relationship, both will have their needs met. Romans 12:10 (NIV) instructs, "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Marriage is becoming one flesh. Marriage is the beginning of family. We see that the Greek word used for 'devoted' is philostorgos, with the root word being, philos meaning: Cherishing one's kindred. It means to love tenderly or have family affection. (NAS Exhaustive Concordance). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds that it is mutual love of parents and children and also of husbands and wives. When you 'honor one another above yourselves' it signifies that you take joy in elevating another's worth above your own.
1 John 4:19 (ESV) reveals, "We love because he first loved us." It is only through His love in us that we are able to love wholeheartedly, unconditionally and devotedly. It is amazing to think and realize that it is His love in us that motivates and enables us to love Him and others. His love in us is the foundation of all of our love - love for family, friends, our enemies, the church and most importantly, our love for Him.
A teacher of the law asked Jesus, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus' response is found in Mark 12:30 (NIV) which reveals, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." We are to love Him with all of our being, which includes: our desires, affections, intellect, understanding, reasoning, energy and actions. Our lives are to be totally dedicated to God. We are to love Him in a greater measure than we love anyone or anything.
"Loving God involves a heartfelt devotion, reverence and commitment to the One who created and sustains all existence. It is more than sentiment; it is a lifelong dedication demonstrated through obedience, worship and gratitude." (Bible Hub).
We have been given a gauge and a warning regarding our love for the Lord in 1 John 2:15 (NASB20), "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 'Love' in this verse, which is talking about loving the world, is from the Greek word agapate (root-agapao) meaning: whole hearted and devoted. In this verse, 'love' indicates: prizing it above other things, unwilling to abandon it or do without it. 'World' conveys: "worldly affairs, goods, endowments, riches, advantages and pleasures. These things stir up desires and seduces one away from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ." (Thayer's Greek Lexicon).
Does this mean you can't 'be rich' or 'have nice things' - No! However, we have a problem if these things become the first priority of our lives. If these 'things' do take priority, we do not have the love of God in us.
Matthew 10:37 also reveals, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." God created families. Family affection is a gift, however, it must not eclipse our devotion to the Lord. As a believer, it is important that we realize we need to order our love. First - God, secondly, family and finally, all else. The word 'worthy in this verse means deserving, suitable and fitting. Our relationship with the Lord, must outrank every other relationship we have.
Our human tendency is to love someone because of what they do or have done for us. If that is the basis of your love - it is not true love. To truly love someone, you love them for who they are. Our marriages need to be based on that kind of love. If our marriage relationship is built on what we can 'get' out of it - we will be sadly disappointed and it won't last.
In the same way, our love for God needs to be based on who He is. He is our Creator, Savior, the lover of our soul, our high tower - our life.
That brings us to this question - If we say we love Him, will we obey Him? His Word reveals that our obedience to Him is proof of our love for Him. John 14:15,21 and 23 (NIV)), "If you love me, keep my commands. ... 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." ... 23 Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." Verse 21 states quite plainly, if we keep His commands, we love him. If we love Him, we will be loved by the Father and Jesus. Then, the amazing truth here is that they will make their dwelling place within us!
What is the motivation in your life for obeying God? Is it desiring to be blessed by Him" To have your needs met? To receive a healing? To get you or a loved one out of a difficult spot? Our obeying Him will definitely bring blessings, however, our motivation for obedience and living a holy life should come out of our love for Him.
Jesus is such a tremendous example for us. We read his words in John 8:29, (BSB), " He who sent Me is with Me. He has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him." Jesus loved the Father and the Father loved Him. Because we love Jesus, the Father loves us. Are we perfect? Not by a long stretch. Do we always do the things that pleases our Father? No. However, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to make the changes in our life that will please Him. We can decide and by our actions show what we love more - God or the things of the world. Help us Lord, to be willing to abandon the things of the world and do without those things that become a distraction and pull us away from You. Help us to always put you first!
Psalm 42:1 and 2 (BSB) reads, " As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, the living God." To 'pant' for water pictures a creature who must reach water or die. Physical thirst mirrors spiritual thirst or longing. Our soul needs God, not just His gifts or blessings. We have a spiritual longing for Him that cannot be successfully filled by anything else. I often preached that we have a God shaped hole in our hearts, which only God can fill. When does He fill it? When we love!
Our love for God calls for exclusive loyalty and love. He is to be the sole object of our worship and devotion. All of our heart (desires and will) is to be centered on Him. All of our devotion is to equal a total dedication to Him.
To love God:
requires knowing Him.
is to worship, praise and serve Him.
is to make Him the #1 priority of our life.
will be evidenced by our loving people.
will be evidenced by our not loving the world.
will be evidenced by our not loving what the world has to offer.
is to obey and to please Him in all that we do.
Choose today to love Him with all of your heart! It will be one of the greatest decisions you will ever make!
Scriptures were taken from:
NIV New International Version
BSB Berean Standard Bible
NASB20 New American Standard Bible 2020
ESV English Standard Version