LOVING GOD

Would you like to know the secret for living a successful life? The key is found in understanding and obeying the Bible’s Greatest Commandment given by God to Moses in Deuteronomy 6:5—“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Over 22 times in the Bible we are directly encouraged to love God. Loving God requires a wholehearted commitment in a half-hearted world. Aside from the obvious fact that God desires our love, I believe there are at least four excellent reasons why we should love Him.

1. When our focus is on loving God our eyes are on God and not on problems. We make life complicated when we fixate on problems. Our Father wants us to focus on loving Him knowing that when we do so, what once seemed insurmountable becomes manageable, He retains His rightful place as Lord and we maintain joy.

2. When our focus is on loving God, we obtain a godly perspective. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Reverence (love in the awe-mode) brings us to a much deeper understanding of God which in turn helps us make wise decisions, set proper goals, and avoid becoming ensnarled in fleshly conflicts.

3. When our focus is on loving God, we obtain a balanced lifestyle. Our love for God and our ability to live in harmony with His will is measured by the way we spend our time. Busyness is not a disease! It generally is a statement that God is not our top priority. Balance is attained by those who remember God is on the Throne and live accordingly.

4. When our focus is on loving God, we are able to love people. We understand the importance of loving everyone and sharing Jesus with those who do not know Him. We help them understand that eternal life begins by obtaining God’s favor, a condition predicated by confessing our sin and placing our faith in His Son.

If we believe these things, perhaps the question is, “How do we go about loving God?”

Ø We have to make Him first in our life. God is a jealous God and that He will not tolerate idolatry. (Exodus 20:3—“You shall have no other gods before Me.”)

Ø We have to find out what pleases Him.—Ephesians 5:8-11—For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Having nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ø We have to obey His commands—1 John 5:3—This is love for God: to obey His commands. And his commands are not burdensome.

Ø We have to accept His plan—Pro. 16:9—“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” The proof of love is when I can live victoriously knowing that it does not matter that I get what I want, it matters that I accept what God gives and trust that He knows best. Something to think about . . . in reveration.

Inspiration

We must spiritually renounce all other loves for love of God or at least so hold them in subordination to this that we are ready to forego them for its sake; yet when we find God, or, rather, when we know ourselves as found of Him, we find in and with Him all the loves which for His sake we had foregone.—Sir William Temple

Bumper Sticker: Tithe if you love Jesus; any idiot can honk!—James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited