Do you love God? Just think about it. How can a lowly person draw near, much less talk about being in a love relationship with such a high and exalted Being? It blows my mind. A classic hymn describes God as “immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes.” Perhaps God’s “otherness” explains why we often feel so inadequate in claiming that we love Him.
Yet God loves us and desires that we love Him in return! In 1 John 4:20–5:5, He tells us how we can know if we truly love Him.
First, to claim that we love God isn’t a true demonstration of love. There should be visible actions. Specifically, we’re called to love fellow believers in Him. Love for the unseen God will find expression in love for others whom we can see (1 John 4:20), for “everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too” (1 John 5:1).
Second, we’ll strive to keep God’s commandments without finding them burdensome (1 John 5:3). John Piper helps us understand this verse in context. He explains, “The test of the genuineness of your love to the children of God is whether you let the commandments of God govern your relation to them and whether these commandments are burdensome to you.”
Both these tests help us see that loving God and loving people are closely interconnected. If we love Him, we’ll love His people. And the way we love His people will be in conformity with the way He reveals His love to us.
“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:15-17). Jesus’ question wasn’t designed to criticize Peter, but to restore him to service. These are encouraging words, for if we’ve faltered like Peter, God still loves us and invites us to love Him as we love His people.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 27:1-40
More:
Read John 14:21 and consider what Jesus says is required in our love for Him.
Next:
What do your actions toward fellow believers reveal about your love for God? What will it take for you to love them better? To love God better?
Gary Shultz on January 17, 2015 at 7:16 am
Wow, a big question I used to ask myself all the time. How can I say I love God? Some folks can say “love you” like we say ” how are you doing” little phrases that get said throughout the day without much meaning. I knew if I was to claim I love God, that was a deep confession. I did the checks – am I obedient – do I really love the brethren as I should – am I doing what God has for me? Well it was like mowing grass in the spring; by the time you made the pass it was time to start all over with the check list. I finally came to the conclusion that I must rely on God’s love not mine. He understands this glorified hunk of mud and still loves me. I can love Him, even with my imperfections and failures, through Jesus I am a treasure to Him. How can you not be in love with that? Thanks
Mike Wittmer on January 17, 2015 at 7:47 am
Well said. Talk is cheap. May God know we love Him by how we love others.
gary1schelvan on January 17, 2015 at 9:21 am
Hello Poh Fang Chia,
First want to say I very much enjoy your postings, love the way you express yourself. I would agree with Mr. Wittmer, talk certainly is cheap. You can talk until you’re blue in the face as they say, but until your love for God and deep sense of gratitude for the supreme sacrifice made for us sinners, by our lord Jesus Christ results in outward love for and service to others, believers as well as nonbelievers, words are meaningless I believe. People first of all look at and judge what you do, not what you say, in all types of situations in life. So I must go quietly about serving and loving others, letting my actions open doors to have my words be effective in demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ for all of mankind. Jesus is love, and He came to serve, not to be served.
gary1schelvan on January 17, 2015 at 10:08 am
This is taken from a devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley at InTouch Ministries, but it says it well…action is the key to reach others. I know this to be so true, because i am living in Tianjin, China surrounded by non-believers, language being a major roadblock to witness to others. Hence the way I conduct my life speaks volumes as to the Love of Jesus Christ.
A believer’s mission is to show Christ to the world. Our vine is to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). When our character and conduct reflect these aspects of Jesus’ nature, we help others to see the beauty of a relationship with the Lord.
The truth about believers is that we don’t have to “do the best we can.” God works through His children to accomplish His purposes.