When I think of love for God, one of the first passages that comes to mind is 1 John 5:1-5. I think of this group of verses right off, because I was surprised a few years back by what John said here. His words were not what I expected when I thought of how we’re supposed to express our love for God. Perhaps they’ll surprise you a bit.
Here’s what God inspired John to write…
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:1-5, NIV)
Obedience is an expression of your love for God. You follow his commands because you do not want to grieve the one you love.
God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth out of love for you and me. He sent him to die for your sin and mine so that sin would no longer have power over us. When you or I choose sin, it causes a rift, a separation of sorts, in our relationship with God. God’s holiness is offended, his heart is broken.
If you are a believer, you will sense that brokenness very soon after you choose sin. Conviction of sin and guilt, both the work of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, will come quickly. When you sense conviction, the loving response to God is sorrow which leads to confession and repentance. Those who love God admit they’ve sinned. God-lovers turn away from sin and receive mercy. They are renewed and refreshed as God restores them to full fellowship with him.
Do you love God? Show it by your obedience. If you trust him, walking away from sin won’t be hard. Following God’s commands is not burdensome for his children. He helps those who have believed in his Son.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (NIV)
God is good, isn’t he? He calls us to express our love for him through obedience, then, out of his love for us, he empowers us to do what he’s called us to do. I choose in love to submit to this great God’s commands. I will seek his help when temptation comes. I will repent when, in a weak moment, I sin. I want to remain in close fellowship with God.
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