Love For God

Mike Johnson

The Bible teaches we are to love God. Matthew 22 reveals a case where some Pharisees were questioning Jesus. A Scribe asked Him what the greatest commandment was. In verse 37, Jesus replied, ". . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." We must love God completely. Considering all God has done for us, and the great love He has for us, loving Him should not be hard to do (Rom. 5:7-8, Jn. 3:16). Many people claim to love God. However, what does loving Him involve? I John 5:3 says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." True love for God is not a mere sentiment or a barren expression, but it is practical and involves obedience. Thus, the person who really loves God is the one who obeys His commandments. Jesus also expressed this idea in John 14:15 when He said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."  Many people today say that they love God, but do not as they do not keep His commandments. Do we love God? We find the answer in the lives we live.