… to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Summary: Loving God is a big deal, especially for God. Learning to love God is a life-long endeavor.
According to Jesus, the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Jesus’ words echo the first three Commandments given to the Israelites through Moses:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
“You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20: 2-7)
The “evil age” in those days was living as a slave in Egypt. God rescued the Israelites out of a land of “gods” who were not gods at all. Satan, the deceiver, whispered in the ear of early man and taught them to worship the sun and moon, frogs and fish. In those days, there were so many “gods” in Egypt that you couldn’t turn around without bumping into one.
When God rescued the Israelites, he also had to teach them about himself so they would know who had saved them. The same is true for us today. God rescues us, but he also wants us to know who he is and acknowledge him.
After all, who is God rescuing? Is he saving a burning stick from the fire? Is he rescuing some leftovers from dinner from being thrown out with the trash?
No.
God is rescuing people! Us!! We are made in his image (Genesis 1:27). We are God’s children (Matthew 5:9, Luke 20:34-36). God doesn’t see us as “things.” He sees us as family, and wants us to act like family. He wants our love. As Paul explains in his letter to the Corinthians, love is not self-seeking, but instead gives honor where honor is due (1 Corinthians 13:5*), and isn’t that what giving God glory is all about?
Application: Learning to love God is a lifelong endeavor. Start now.
Food for Thought: How does our concept of who and what God is affect how we love God?
*The opposite of dishonoring someone is honoring them.
If we view God as anything less than Holy, eternal, immutable, self-sufficient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, good, just, merciful and love, then we hold back and pull away from Him. We become incapable of giving back to Him the full measure of love that He has given to us.
Thanks Chris!
I agree with CH. We must think rightly (biblically) about God or we end up not knowing Him as we should or loving Him for who He is. He reveals details of His character and nature in His word. We also celebrate the Incarnation of the living word this time of year. Jesus reveals the exact nature and character of God in human flesh. Through Him we see an exact representation of the living God (John 1: 18; Colossians 1: 15, 19; Hebrews 1: 1 – 3).
Thanks Rich!
Knowing Jesus personalizes God.
Thank you for the excellent verses! (Link here)
12-11-2023, How does our concept of who and what God is affect how we love God?
We are limited physical beings, created by our Sovereign, Omnipresent God who is beyond our comprehension. He has given all believers His Holy Spirit who provides life and sight to our spirits. We see God through the revelation of the Holy Spirit who illuminates Him in His creation which surrounds us.
Proverbs 19:21, 1 Corinthians 2:10-16, 1 Corinthians 13:12
1 John 4:7-12, Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Augustine, one of the early church fathers, said, “Love God, and do as you please.” This almost sounds insane, but it isn’t. If we really love God in the way the Bible tells us to love Him, then we will find, it please’s us, to please Him.
As we grow closer to God, as our understanding of Who God is increases through our study and application of His word. As we experience His work in our lives, we will begin to see Him more clearly and our love for Him will grow.
Thanks Ron!
I like the Augustine quote. I suppose it is easy to take it out of context, but I agree that it is true. If we love God then we want to please him, and if we please him we will do things that please him.
How does our concept of who and what God is affect how we love God?
I just have to remember what God says about Himself to even start out with a concept. Leviticus 10:3 And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ” So Aaron held his peace
Great reference, Tim!
It points to the importance of being “set apart” (made holy) before God.