“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. Deuteronomy 6:5
Why do we love God? We love Him because He commands us to love Him. We love Him because He first loved us. Sacrificially He loved us with the death of His son Jesus. Unconditionally He loves us with the infinite depth of His grace. Comprehension of Christ’s unfailing love compels us to love. “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).
It flows from our lips in praise and worship and from a heart of gratitude. Why do we love God? We love Him because we long to obey our Creator. Why do we love God? We love Him because we want to love the One who loves us. His love is irresistible. Like a child responds to a parent’s love, so we long to love our Lord. God created us to love. So to love begins by first loving Him. Your love for others flows from your love for God.
How do you love the Lord? First you give over every thing to Him. “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will” (2 Corinthians 8:5b). He desires all of you. This is the Lord’s love language. Specifically you give your heart, mind, will, emotions and spirit to God. Because you love Him, you can trust Him.
You trust Him with your relationships, money, health, career, children and future. When you give Him your worship and praise, you love Him. When you give to others, you love Him. When you give Him credit for your successes in life, you love Him. Love leads to giving. Your gifts to God invite others who want to understand God’s gift of grace.
Indeed, your love of God is a catalyst to draw others to Him. Your love of God solicits questions from a searching world. Questions like, “Why do you love so purely and passionately?” or “Why is your God worthy of such adoration and gratitude?” Then you can let them in on your Savior’s secret. You are able to love Him, because He first loved you. Loving God is job one for the follower of Christ. He expects it and He deserves it. “Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love” (Ephesians 6:4). Do I allow my Heavenly Father to love me thoroughly, so I can love others unconditionally?
Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 6:14; Psalm 86:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 3:5
Source: Wisdom Hunters by Boyd Bailey
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