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Loving God is the buzz word in most circles these days. Bridal language
is in, whether it be in sermons, worship songs, or Christian
literature. But talking the talk doesn't always equal walking the walk.
How do we demontrate our love for God? Jesus gives us the track we should run on. Let's take a look at what the Scriptures say concerning the practicalities
of loving God.
 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)
There is much talk about loving God abounding today, much talk about God's requirements and our need to love Him. But what does that practically mean? How exactly do we love God? And if we do in fact love Him, is that love measurable?
The Scriptures are clear, in both the Old and New Testaments, about our obligation to love God (Deut 6:5; 10:12; 11:1, 13, 22; 19:9; 30:16, 20; Jos 22:5; 23:11; Ps 31:23; Mt 22:37; Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27; 11:42; Rom 8:28; 2 Thess 3:5; Jude 1:21). So we can see clearly that we are to love God. In John 14:21 Jesus gives us the scale to be used to measure our love for Him - our obedience to His commandments.
OBEDIENCE: OUR PART IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
God desires deep partnership with His people. It's amazing, but true, that He administrates the running of His Kingdom through cooperation with His people. That cooperation is called obedience. In our relationship with God there are two parts, God's and ours. We cannot do God’s part, and God will not do our part. We must not neglect to pray, to grow in faith, to obey, etc. If we neglect to do our part (obedience), we are trusting in God’s sovereignty in an unbiblical way. Only you can love God with all your heart. God cannot do it for you.
We must watch over and guard our heart with all diligence. No one else can guard your heart but you; God will not do it for you. He will help you to guard your heart, but He will always honor your free will.
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)
The Scriptures are clear on this matter, love is not real if we are not pursuing obedience. We may not attain 100% obedience right away, but we must be in pursuit of total obedience. Love is not false until you get the breakthrough, as long as your heart is sincerely aiming to obey. Obedience may be immature, yet still be authentic and sincere. When obedience is motivated by love, our lives are empowered by God.
THE SPIRIT’S HELP IN OUR PURSUIT OF OBEDIENCE
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit will help us and teach us as we pursue a life of obedience. When we were born again, we did more than just receive forgiveness. We became the habitation of God’s Spirit (1 Cor 3:16) . We can talk to Him, ask Him for help, and ask Him for insight. He can and will help us overcome all areas of sin, not just large or scandalous sins.
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