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“I know that the Bible says to love God, but I struggle to say that I truly love Him.” This is a typical response I get from our students when it comes to responding to God’s call to love Him.
My response to them is, “You can’t love someone you don’t know. How much time do you spend in His Word? How much time do you spend with him throughout the day?” Do you consult with Him before you make a decision?
If we do not know Jesus through what the Bible says about Him, then who is he? People who do not know God through His word will often see Him through the lens of their own experiences or misinformation from well-meaning friends. Both of those options will lead you farther from God.
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'” (Luke 4:8)
Loving God involves worshiping and praising Him. One way to do this is to read through the Psalms during your quiet time with Him. He wants your worship as a way of drawing you closer to Him.
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all” (1 Chronicles 29:11).
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
Loving God includes choosing to put Him first in all of our life decisions. When that happens, He becomes our priority and our undivided love.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
The word “might” implies strength and mind and everything we are and in everything we do. Being consistent in our choices, whether actions or thoughts, requires us to filter everything through the Spirit of God who lives in all who believe. When the happens, the other things in our lives, including our flesh will not crowd in and distract us. Our love for God is made evident by our love and service to people, even when it is inconvenient.
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” (Psalm 73:25).
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! “(Psalm 105:1)
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).
The way to fall in love with God is to know Him more and more each day. Once we have tasted and seen that He is good, we will want more of Him.
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2)
“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him” (Nahum 1:7).
When we meditate on His word, something changes in us. We yearn to be close to Him and to obey Him because He is our Lord and always wants what is best for us. When we obey Him, it is our way of telling Him that we love Him. It is our way of worshiping Him.
“I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments,” John 14:15.