We continue today in a study of how to know that we love God for real and what the evidences would be in our lives that we are living up to how He commands we love Him according to His commands in the Word of God.

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First, a brief review of three key points from our first part:

In part 1, I posed the reasonable question that some might ask: “How can someone command another to love them and with such a sold-out passion?”

If I did not make it clear, I used the illustration of the lever and fulcrum to answer that question and said that it was love for God that enables us to move sin out of our lives († 1 Jn 1:2) as well as to begin to walk in the ways of God.

The greater your love for God is, the longer the lever becomes that gives us power against those things that must be moved out of the way. A thorough and consuming love for God is the longest lever and capable of monumental help in your and my ceasing to sin, on the one hand, and to walk in the righteous ways of God in Christ, on the other hand.

This is why, at least in part, why God commands that we must love Him above all others and all things of this life († 1 Jn 2:15-16)—it is a powerful means and motivation for freeing us from the sinful nature and the things that draw us away from God.

A second point that I want to remind everyone about is where I pointed out that at († Matthew 7:14), the “strait gate” that we are to face and contend with is the cross, where we are to be crucified with Christ († Gal. 2:20).

By giving us “the Golden Rule” and saying “for this is the law and the prophets”, Jesus subtly connects love for God and our neighbor in verse 12 to the strait gate and narrow way. The word “strait” means “made narrow from obstacles standing close by” and comes from a base word meaning the “cross” or to “crucify”.

For us to achieve permanent victory over that sin we are to stop means having our old sinful nature put to death at the cross, and we will go there as often as we need to because of our growing love for God.

The cross is indeed an obstacle at the gate of salvation for many that would become a follower of Jesus today, and a growth issue that eludes Christians who will not seek its power over sin; the cross is the power of God.

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† Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait (Gr. stenos: narrow from obstacles standing close about; from the Gr. histemi (the cross, to crucify)) is the gate, and narrow (to crowd, afflict, tribulation, trouble) is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

† 1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it [the cross] is the power of God.

A third and quintessential point that came up was that the three words regarding our love for God involving our “heart, soul and mind” was that in the definition of each one from the original language, it revealed that your mind and mine must be renewed as a vital part of coming to love God “completely” or with “all of our heart, soul, mind and strength”.

I made this closing statement that I personally know is so very important: “As born-again ones from above, our “minds” have a preemptive responsibility to observe, learn, question, evaluate, test, and decide on the issues of life as touching God’s will, and then to have our “will” act on or refrain from acting on things that are the results that the renewed intellect (mind) has arrived at, and then inviting the “emotions” to express the appropriate response to right actions.”

The order of operations then (in a manner of speaking), is that life’s issues are first examined and decisions made about them from the renewed mind, then communicated to the will for action, and then the emotions respond to doing the will of God.

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† Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

If a believer is not willing to have his or her mind renewed on a host of things regarding life as a Christian and do what it takes for that to happen, it follows then that that man or woman will not come to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength, since the intellect is at the heart of loving God.

Is My Own Cup Full to Overflowing
In Love For God?

I hope so and I truly want it to be but only He knows if it is true of me. However, I do know that there is a lot in the cup of my love for Him by certain evidences that I am aware of in my life.

Growing to love God with a near perfect capacity with my heart, soul, mind and strength has shown itself in several ways, and can for you if you desire it in your life also.

Because the Greek word “agape” is used primarily in the Word to impress upon us just how broad and deep is to be our love for God and for our neighbor, I have come to understand this: Our love for God is to be what we might call in our day and age “Agape on steroids” or love with big muscles.

The word is used to for our love for God and our neighbor and also comes into English in († 1st Corinthians 13) as “charity” toward others—but wouldn’t you agree with me that if it applies to our neighbor wouldn’t it be love that is far deeper and broader for God? That is why I say love for God must in actuality be “agape—on steroids”!

That Is Why I Say Love For God
Must In Actuality Be “AGAPE - On Steroids”!

The Greek language’s best word for the highest form of love for another is agape but I am here to let you know that where love for God is concerned, that word falls short of what God commands of us since it is also used as the standard for our brethren and our neighbor.

How can we know that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength compared to love for our neighbor as we do ourselves? I have become aware of the differences between the two because my love for God goes much farther than what it is for my spouse and our children, and you and others.

If your love for God is like mine, it will be more than just agape and might be recognized by you as it is by me by these eight or more traits:

If Your Love For God Is Like Mine If your love for God is like mine, it will be more than just agape and Might be recognized by you as it is by me by these eight or more traits: 1. You will become aware that your beloved One is never far from your mind 2. Saying out loud or even as a whisper “I love you, Father” or “I love You, Lord Jesus” are spoken often; if this never happens in your life or it is awkward for you to say, a deep love for God has yet to be developed (we say it to our spouse, our children, and others close to us; why can’t we say it to our Creator and Savior?) 3. According to its simple definition, agape love is at its most developed and mature form—unconditional. Love for God does not have any restrictions or boundaries, timelines or expiration dates, and it makes no demands on Him 4. Personal difficulties do not affect your love for Him; it is not bruised or feel battered but remains loyal and passionate. In such trials of life, you will praise and worship Him in spite of each loss or hardship—it is a “no matter what” love for God that cannot be shaken loose. One does not fear even the worst persecution or having to face death († 1 Jn 4:18) 5. This level of love for God expects nothing in return for your service, personal sacrifice, or an often praise and worship of Him 6. He is easily brought up in conversations with other believers, or your relationship with Him is suggested among non-believers that you know and others that you meet throughout a normal day by your use of words or phrases such as “blessed, may God bless you, the Lord…, the Bible says…, I praise the Lord for (or because)…” 7. Fellowship with Him and about Him with others is welcome and joyful 8. Private times include songs to the Lord, expressions of thankfulness, and praise and worship—my daily favorite is “Doxology” and “I Love You, Lord”

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† Genesis 15: [In our love relationship, He assures me, too, of this:] 1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

† Lamentations 3: [And consider this:] 21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 24 The LORD is my portion (allotment, inheritance), saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

† Song of Solomon 2: [I am here also!] 4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

† Malachi 3: [And as to talking to others even casually about the Lord:] 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

This relationship with God and His Son to the degrees I have just shared from my own experience trickles-down into my personal life with others, and not the least of all with my wife of 44+ years.

Although I am to love God more than I do my wife and our family members, love for her is a close second, as it should be in my opinion.

Indeed, it is more than obvious to the student of God’s Word that He established marriage to be a “type and shadow” of what the eternal Trinity desires for all God-seeking men and women in a love relationship with the Lord Jesus Himself.

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† Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. . . 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church. . .

This brings us to a place where I must remind you of something I have declared many times over the years and that is this:

Not All That Are Members of The Church
Will Be Part of The Bride of Christ

If we will not grow to love the Son and His Father with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength in this life of trials and hardships, what other distinguishing qualification can there be to become part of the eternal and close companion of the Lamb?

I say there is no other evidence that speaks so-loudly in the face of life’s disappointments and pressures, weaknesses in body, defeats or failures, then for a man or woman to love God so-much that he or she does not faint in both feeling and declaring, “I love you, my God, and I worship You no matter what befalls me!”

This is a person that is having victory over sin, understanding and walking in the ways of God, and whose spirit and soul are enjoying an intimacy with the Eternal One that has developed as the strong muscles of a powerful love for God!

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† Matthew 10: [Jesus declared:] 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

† Matthew 22:1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son [this clearly implies a bride for the Son of the Father], 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. . . [And as far as all having the invitation as the Church but not all having accepted it to become His Bride, Jesus said in this very parable:] 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

† Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

† Acts 20: [Paul loved God to a full capacity:] 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

† Job 19: [Job knew by his love and loyalty this:] 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

I hope that you have gained a clearer understanding of both how deeply from our heart and how the fixtures of our mind play such an important part in love for God and others.

WE ARE TO LOVE GOD
With All Our Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and with the evidence of a growing love for God as I’ve shared from my own life, you now have a few indicators to look for in your own life as evidences that you love Him deeply also or—in the absence of such kinds of things, realize that you still have a ways to go, if you will.

In our next and last part we will carefully look at the 2nd great commandment of loving our neighbor as ourselves. These things are important—I hope you are paying attention!

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~ Brother Scott ... With ... The Right Word^© ... For Today~

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