How Can One Truly Love God?
Questions concerning one’s relationship with God:
Do you believe your acceptance and devotion to God's calling and obedience to His commands, accurately express your love and reverence for Him?
Do you regularly spend time talking and praying to God?
Do you daily express your gratitude for Jesus' love, grace and saving work?
Do you honestly love God or just going through the motions?
Do you believe God still loves you no matter what you do or say to discredit His name?
Do you believe the trials, tests, afflictions and suffering that God allows in your life are a demonstration of God’s goodness and love?
Do you believe God is good?
These questions can help us to determine how we view God and in what areas we need to work on our relationship with Him.
Let us
contemplate these questions:
Can you think
of an event in your life where you think God was trying to get your
attention?
What do you
think what God allowed was trying to teach you?
Do you think
the afflictions God has allowed in your life have an eternal purpose?
Has God ever
proven His love for you?
Why do you Love
God? What do you think can help you love God more?
The Sin
problem: (we are separated from God at birth)
Sin will
always be our greatest stumbling block when it comes to our relationship with God, and we must deal with
the sin in our lives if we want to stay close to God. Sin separates us from
God. The Bible helps us understand that we have a sin problem.
Isaiah 59:2 ESV: But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
Romans 3:10 ESV: as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
1 John 1:8 ESV: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Good
News: God Loves us: (God loves sinners and sent Jesus to save us)
But even
though we are sinners we find out that we are loved by God and that He left a
God sized hole in us that can only be filled by Him. Why would God reserve a
place in our hearts that only He can fill?
God wants to be loved by us. This is why we need to
first comprehend what God’s love really means for us so that not only can we respond
accordingly, but have the desire to do so.
Let's look at what the Bible says about God's
love and what this means for us:
1 John
4:19 NIV:
We love because he
first loved us.
1 John
4:10 NIV: This is love: not that we loved God, but that
he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our
sins.
Ezekiel
36:25-27 NIV: I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will
be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your
idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will
remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I
will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful
to keep my laws.
Deuteronomy
30:6 NIV: The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts
and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your
heart and with all your soul, and live.
Deuteronomy
10:14-16:
To the
LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and
everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers
and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as
it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked
any longer.
1 John
3:16 NIV:
This is
how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And
we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
Romans 5:8 NIV: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John
3:16-17 NIV:
For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in
him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son
into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Romans 6:23 ESV: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 John 1:9 ESV: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Renewing
of the Mind: (why we
need transformation to love God)
We can better respond to God with love when we
get a sense of what it is to be loved by Him. The way God loves us
is Supernatural (forces or phenomena which are not subject to
natural laws, and therefore beyond verifiable measurement). In
a Supernatural way, the Holy Spirit working in us, brings about this
supernatural understanding of love and helps us respond back to God in the same
way. This change in our attitude toward God and others can only come
by believing that Christ’s sacrificial love rescues us from spiritual death and
through our decision to receive Him as Lord and Savior. Mainly through our
relationship with Jesus, the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, do we have
this ability to see God for who he truly is. We can properly view others
through this same God filter as well and through the power of the Holy Spirit, be
transformed to able to truly love others in a supernatural Christ-like way. In
order to have this “God Filter”, one must have a “renewed
mind”. One must also put on what is called the "new self
" which is what we become when we have been transformed or reborn
through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is an action item that does not
always reflect on our character because our sin nature still stays with us, and
we can potentially and temporarily revert back to the way we used to live
before becoming a follower of Jesus. However, with this renewing of the mind
through the Holy Spirit we are capable of having an eternal
perspective and receive the help we need to live out the Christ-like change in
character that has taken place in us.
The Bible
tells us how to live a transformed life:
Romans
12:2 NIV:
Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what
God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Ephesians
4:22-24 TNIV:
You were
taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be
like God in true righteousness and holiness.
So what
is the "Renewing" of the mind?
- Understanding
the length God went to redeem His people.
- Understanding
the depth of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness and grace.
- Undergoing transformation
due to the filling of the Holy Spirit and being led by the Spirit and not
the flesh.
- Going through a
process of Sanctification (God helping us to become Christ-like in
Character) as part of our daily walk with God.
- A desire to turn
from sin and turn back toward God
- A desire to live
in gratitude for all God has done.
- A desire to live
in awe, reverence and humility toward God.
- A desire to apply
God’s principles from His Word to help in our transformation and walk with
God.
Because
of the way Holy Spirit work in us and through us, and the way God’s life
changing Word gives us a deeper understanding of who God is and what He has
done, we develop a heart attitude that transcends the bounds of this world
and bring about in us, Christ-like qualities and perspectives that are
found in the Lord Himself. This is the way God has designed the “New Self”
(the new creation in Christ) to be and this is what is in store for God's
children:
2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Romans 8:14: For all who are led by the Spirit of God as are
children of God
In order
to follow Jesus consistently and know how to live set apart to God, we need the
Holy Spirit's power and guidance.
John
14:26:
But when the Father sends
the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will
teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
We need
Jesus’ help for Restoration and Reconciliation with God:
The truth
is we need Jesus to restore our relationship with God. Because Jesus
covers the sin in our lives that separates us from God. Jesus has made the
only way that we can become forgiven in the sight of a Holy God. Our new life
and new heart attitude are part of Jesus' rescue plan. We are acceptable to
God because of Jesus and is not something we earned, but something that Jesus
willingly did on the cross because of His amazing love, willing sacrifice and amazing
grace. Also, because of Jesus’ work and ministry, can we better
understand the purpose behind God’s creation of mankind. God loves His
people and He desires that they love, serve and fellowship with Him for
eternity.
Obedience
to God’s Commands shows Love & Respect for God
We must
also remember that God commands us to Love Him and others. But God is not
forcing us to love Him. God is showing us that love is the most important part
of our relationship with Him so we don't think we can please God by our
good deeds alone. Loving God and others come primarily from a
response of gratitude for the fact that God, the Creator of all things loves us
even in our fallen and sinful state.
Romans 5:8 NIV:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
If God wants to save us even though we have a sin
and rebellious nature, shouldn’t we desire goodness and salvation for those who
are in the same situation. Jesus doubles down on this love by His sacrifice on
the Cross which paid the price for our sin. Followers of Jesus are called
to respond obediently to this command to love God, obey His Word and abide
by Jesus’ teachings because this is God's desired way we should love Him.
Mark
12:30 NIV:
Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your mind and with all
your strength.
Galatians 5:14 TNIV:
For the entire
law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as
yourself."
John
14:15 NIV:
If you
love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21 NIV: Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves
me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love
him and show myself to him.
John
14:23 NIV:
Jesus
replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with
him.
John 15:10 NIV: If you obey my commands, you will remain in my
love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.
1 John
2:5 NIV:
But if
anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.
1 John
5:3 NIV:
This is
love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,
2 John 1:6
NIV:
And this
is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from
the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
By
following God’s command to Love others, we show love to God and prove we
are His disciples.
John 13:34
NIV:
"A new
command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.
John
13:35 NIV:
By
this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one
another."
John
15:12 NIV:
My
command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
1 John
4:7 NIV:
Dear
friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who
loves has been born of God and knows God
1 John
4:12 NIV:
No one
has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his
love is made complete in us.
Reverence
for God (living a life of worship and gratitude for God)
Having a
healthy amount of respect and fear of God is another way we can show our love
and reverence to our Creator. It is also a mindset that helps deter us
from the trappings of sinful behavior. Fear of the Lord, which can also
defined as reverence and respect to Him, is the path to wisdom and
understanding. When we take into account God’s holiness and sovereignty we
are more likely to abide by His principles.
Psalm
111:10 NIV:
The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his
precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Deuteronomy
10:12-13:
And now, O Israel, what
does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God to walk in
all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and
with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am
giving you today for your own good?
A big part of loving God is living a life of praise,
worship & dedication to Him. We must daily keep in mind all He has
done and respond back, revealing our gratitude by exposing the true condition
of our heart. Some Christians only apply these principles on Sunday. We
are called to live a life of worship.
Hebrews
12:28 NIV:
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and
awe
1 Peter
3:15 NIV:
But in
your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect,
Deuteronomy
10:17-22:
For the
LORD your God is God of gods and LORD of lords, the great God, mighty and
awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of
the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and
clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were
aliens in Egypt. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to
him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your
God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with
your own eyes. Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all,
and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the
sky.
John 4:23-24 NIV: Yet a time is coming and has now come when
the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they
are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his
worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
Psalm
96:1-4 NIV:
Sing to
the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD,
praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory
among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the
LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Psalm
98:4-6 NIV:
Shout for
joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make
music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of
singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn— shout for joy
before the LORD, the King.
Psalm
100 NIV:
Shout for joy to the LORD,
all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful
songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are
his we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with
thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his
name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness
continues through all generations.
Our desire to be Holy and conform to the image
of Christ also shows God we are serious about pleasing Him.
Romans
12:1 NIV:
Therefore,
I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act
of worship.
1 Peter
1:14-16 NIV:
As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in
ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all
you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Fulfilling God’s command to go out and make
disciples proves we care about what God cares about. God spreads His message of
hope through the witness of His people.
Matthew
28:18-20 NIV:
Then
Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded
you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Acts 1:8
NIV:
But you
will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends
of the earth."
Loving
God even during Affliction:
Some people have difficulty showing love for God
because they respond to Him in the same manner they respond to other human
beings. They
base their love for God on what He is providing at that moment in time. And if
He is not providing what they want, they will perhaps determine that God is not
a good God all the time. This performance based love does not bode well in
light of eternity or in any kind of relationship because it will generate doubt
about God’s unconditional Love or a person’s commitment to Love. Even when God
allows for afflictions and suffering He is trying to get us to understand His
goodness and love. He is trying to get us to turn back to Him because He
provides what we really need, salvation.
This is why we need the Holy Spirit and God’s Word at
the helm of our lives. We need to live by the Spirit and not
the desires of the flesh because the flesh does not desire God and His will for
our lives.
Galatians 5:16: But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
1 John 2:15-17 ESV: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
James 4:4 ESV; You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The consequences of the flesh: (It is not God who is tempting us to sin)
James 1:13-15 ESV; Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
So, with the perspective the Holy Spirit and God’s Word gives us, we can have a much different view about God and His love even when He allows for difficult circumstances and the testing of or faith.
The Holy Spirit and God’s Word open the doors of understanding to our hearts and minds so that we can understand God’s supernatural perspective and heart when it comes to sin and love. Therefore, when we respond back to God for opening our eyes to the truth behind our salvation with our praise and worship, this is a way we can show our reverence and love for Him. This kind of loving response to God can be coined a “supernatural response to a supernatural God”. Let’s approach each day and make our best attempt to love our Lord through our actions, our thoughts, and our obedience to His Word as well as love our neighbor as God commanded.
The Blessing that awaits those who follow Jesus:
Remember this, Jesus has prepared a place for us. And Heaven is that place where there will be no more suffering, sorrow or pain. A believers suffering is temporary. The Bible reassures us about the future hope and glory we will have, and Jesus tells us He will take us to that place He has prepared.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NIV: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
There is a cost to loving and following Jesus. When people
put Jesus ahead of all else, they may put aside some things they loved more
than Him. They may be rejected, mocked or persecuted for their identity in
Christ. They may lose some friends or pushed aside by some family members. However, Jesus paid a great cost to save us! He
has adopted us into His family and restored us from a place of brokenness,
sorrow and spiritual pain to a place of Joy, hope, purpose and blessing. That
is why loving God and putting Him first is so beneficial to His followers. Jesus tells us that in this world we will have
trouble but to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Because
of who Jesus is and because of what He has done, we can still love Him during our
moments of great difficulty, suffering and affliction.
Putting God and His desires first:
The fact
that we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior is the proof that we love
God because it shows that we are trusting God with our lives and with our
eternity. Our faith in God is what sustains us in this life. In fact, this life
is our preparation for our eternity with God. How we use our time, talent and
resources, will shed light on our love and devotion to God. By giving
God the best of our time, talent and resources, we will play a significant role
in the lives of those God sends our way. What a privilege it is to serve our
Heavenly Father as we play a role in advance of His kingdom here on this earth.
So, as we
try to live a life of worship, and show love for God, let’s remember that He is
worthy of whatever sacrifice we need to make to put Him first. It is
interesting to note that many people have experienced their greatest sense
of peace while experiencing times suffering. This is due to the depth of their relationship,
Love, faith and trust in God.
This
verse shows us that Jesus desires to minister to us and is calling us to bring
Him all our burdens.
Matthew
11:28-30 TNIV:
"Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take
my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my
burden is light."
Followers
of Jesus have a lot to be thankful for. The fact that they have a new eternal
purpose and perspective on life can easily help them navigate the
difficulties of life with a resounding joy. They have hope. They can be at
peace with God. They can love sacrificially. They can live by faith
knowing God will keep His promises. They have the Holy Spirit to guide them
every step of the way. They can trust God with their lives and believe He
will help them live a life worthy of His calling.
It is
easier to love someone knowing how much they love you. God has gone to great
lengths to show us how much He loves us.
John
3:16-17 NIV:
For God
so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not
send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him.
We have
an awesome God worthy of our deepest affection. When we take to heart all that
God has done to rescue us and to be in relationship with us, we can truly love
God in response to His love for us.
Blessings……………..Dave
