In our previous post of this series, we learned to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind is our first and greatest priority (Matthew 22:37-38) as followers of Christ.
The question may arise, “How do we love God?” The answer is simple… but may not always be easy.
Before His crucifixion, Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) which indicates true love must have corresponding actions.
Keeping God’s ways and commandments is how we can demonstrate our love for Him. When we obey Him, we honor Him, we worship Him, we exalt Him, we please Him, we glorify Him, we love Him.
When a child willingly obeys their parents it not only blesses the parents but demonstrates the child’s love and honor towards them. Even so, when we obey God’s Word and follow His ways, we are showing Him we love Him more than anything, including ourselves.
Obedience costs, and that’s why many people shy away from serving God with all of their heart. They believe He will ask them to do something they are not willing to do, whether it’s forgiving someone who hurt them, or telling the truth, or walking in purity, or being kind to others, etc. All of these things require us to deny our selfish tendencies to follow His higher ways.
When Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day, He told them,
“But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you”.
John 5:42
“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Luke 11:42 [Emphasis added]
What an indictment! They were supposed to be making every effort to walk humbly and righteously before God, but their hearts were wicked, and they wanted to kill the Son of God because He told them the truth. They were jealous of Him and conspired to have Him removed because He was a threat to their well-established empire and control.
The apostle John towards the latter years of his life, wrote to the church and stated:
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3
This statement echoes the words of Jesus which must have had a tremendous impact on John’s life and ministry.
Being motivated by love is our highest calling, not fame or fortune… and is one we fall short of often. As I mentioned, loving God is simple, it’s just not always easy.
I encourage you to begin telling the Father how much you love Him, even when you do not feel very spiritual. Talk to Him and let Him know your desire to please Him in all things. Ask Him for grace to strengthen you in the tough times of life when you are tempted to disobey or do your own thing. Jesus was tempted, but without sin, so it’s not a sin to be tempted, it only becomes sin if we give in and take the bait.
Loving God and protecting our relationship with Him is the best deterrent to falling into temptation or sin. The Bible says, sin has pleasure for a season (Hebrews 11:25) but it also says, in the Lord’s presence there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
When we love someone, we WANT to spend time with them. It is not a forced thing. How much more should we intentionally WANT to have a deep relationship with our heavenly Father; one that draws us away from distractions and cares of life to focus on Him and Jesus Christ our Savior.
When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, Moses charged them by saying:
“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul….” Deuteronomy 10:12
Our highest calling is to reverence God, walk in all His ways, love Him, and serve Him with all our heart and soul. We can do this with the help of the Holy Spirit who sheds God’s love in our hearts (Romans 5:5). We can communicate our love to Him, not only in words, but by choosing to obey Him daily. We can love and adore Him by worshipping Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Are you ready to make a fresh commitment to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind? It will be a fragrance and sweet aroma in His nostrils. Your love and obedience can touch His heart like nothing else.
When the woman with the alabaster box came into the room where Jesus was and poured the ointment upon His feet, wiping them with the hairs of her head, it touched Him in such a way, He prophesied her act of kindness would be told worldwide wherever the Gospel was preached (Luke 7:36-50 and Mark 14:3-9).
Her love and worship cost her the misunderstanding of others. She humbled herself in the presence of her critics to give admiration and honor to Jesus before His crucifixion. Jesus was so moved by this act of love and humility He commended her in front of them all.
Let’s join with her in honoring God with our love and full surrender to do His will. We only have this life to demonstrate our love in the face of adversity and struggle. Once we are in heaven, it will be easy to glorify God because there will be no flesh to struggle with, nor opposition of others, or enemy strongholds to overcome. All of heaven will be praising and worshipping Him throughout eternity. Oh what a glorious day that will be!
May we continue to grow in our love, adoration, and devotion to God in this new year like never before.
New subject next time. Until then, may God our Heavenly Father richly bless and keep you!
James Brown
CST 02/14/2024