Commanded to Love
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Commanded to Love
We supposedly independent human beings like to think we can love whatever and whoever we want. And, that is exactly what we determine to do. In much of our lives, it is also what we must do.
But, God does have a number of commands about our love life. The first and most important command is found in Matthew 22:37-39.
‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
We are commanded to love God more than anything else because it is the most right and morally decent thing we can do in our whole life. Why?
Because God has loved us from the beginning and proven His love by promising a Savior and sending the Savior to die for our sins. To not love God Almighty is, therefore, the grossest sin anyone can commit.
And, we see people all around us committing this grossest sin every day.
When we are given the free gift of love in Christ by our Creator and Sustainer, it is only right that we acknowledge that gift and give our love in return. If we don’t love God for all that He has done for us, it shows that we are unworthy of His love and grace.
Do we really want to become unworthy of our Redeemer’s love?
Have we honestly looked into all the proofs of God’s love for us? That includes looking all around us and seeing the miracles of creation by our Lord. It includes studying God’s word to assure ourselves that God has, indeed, kept all of His promises of salvation in Christ.
Loving God is having a thankful heart for being freely given eternal life, just by believing and trusting in God’s love. When we love someone, we like to do things for them to show our love. We like to serve them because we enjoy the love we have been given. It’s so good to know we are loved. We need to show God our love.
God knows how the world fools us into thinking more about the influences around us, than thinking about God, who can seem far away. He knows that we easily become more concerned about making a living, having a home and family of our own, keeping up appearances, our daily problems, etc.
With all the things we’ve just gotta do every day, there doesn’t seem to be time for thinking about God and loving Him, too. There are so many activities we must attend…. But, Jesus says we’ve got to get a grip on all those distractions and realize what they are doing to us eternally. In Matthew 6:24 Jesus says,
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Jesus showed the people how all their concerns about this life are just “nothings” that distract us from what is most important in our lives — the love of God. Because we can’t change much of anything that happens in this world, we need to learn to love and trust our LORD for all our needs.
Because our Lord Jesus knows all things, He can rightly tell us in Matthew 6:33-34,
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Are we obeying God’s command to love and trust Him?
As we listen to our Savior and obey, we will learn to say, “Hallelujah! Our LORD loves and cares for us.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods.
Pray for our country.
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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.
Psalm 118:24
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The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
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Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
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How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
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Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
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O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
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Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
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Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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