How many of us would be able to answer the question, "what is the first and great commandment according to the New Testament?"  If you said, to love God with all of your heart, you would be correct (verse 38).  We often speak of God's love for us, but we don't always focus on the fact that we are commanded to love God.  And even if we do say that we love God, the question arises, is that love with all of our heart, soul, and mind?"

 

In Revelation 2:1 we find that God has at least one particular grievance against the church of Ephesus. He states that "they have left their first love."  They get high marks in other categories.  The problem is, they have become a loveless church. 

 

It is incumbent on all of us to do some soul searching on the passage above.  Do we really love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds?  Is our love conditioned on what God does
for us?  Would we still love God if we lost everything we had?  Do we love God more than we love our spouses; or our children; or our material possessions?  Do we love God even more than we love ourselves?

 

Christian love is not merely an emotion which arises because of the one we love doing something for us.  Christian love is self-giving.  It is an action word.  We should prove our love for God in the way we conduct our lives.  We love God because God first loved us.  It is God's commandment that we love one another as well (Matthew 22:39).  But in order to love others as Christ loves the Church, we must first love God.

 

God has been very good to all of us.  He so loved us that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus Christ). Following that we could speak for days on end as to all the blessings He has given us.   However even if He had not done anything for us, I would still love Him.  I would love Him because of who He is.  He is God.  And I love Him. 

 

Sometimes we may have a difficult time telling others that we love them.  But we should never have a difficult time telling God that we love Him.  In fact, I find myself telling Him that I love Him throughout each day.  Do you love Him with all of your heart, soul, and mind?  If so, just join me right now in telling Him, "LORD, I LOVE YOU."