June 17th, 2024
by Morgan A. Mitchell
by Morgan A. Mitchell
Loving God is one of the most fulfilling things we can do in our life. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus' reply was, "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30, NASB.)
But how do we love God? It can be hard to connect with Someone we can't see, but there are many ways to form a relationship with the Lord and show our love for Him. Today we'll explore what it means to love God, how we can fall in love with Him, and ways we can express that love.
But how do we love God? It can be hard to connect with Someone we can't see, but there are many ways to form a relationship with the Lord and show our love for Him. Today we'll explore what it means to love God, how we can fall in love with Him, and ways we can express that love.
Loving God With Our Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength
When Jesus talked about loving God, He listed four parts of us to love God with: heart, soul, mind, and strength. How are we supposed to love Him in these areas?
Love God With All Our Heart
This means to love God emotionally. Being emotional might sound weird and many might discourage it, but God didn't make us unfeeling robots. He created us with the ability to feel joy, sadness, anger, disappointment, and love. And He doesn't want us to turn off those emotions when we approach Him.
Love God With All Our Soul
The soul is something we don't usually think about when we talk about love. We love God with our soul when we seek after and desire Him. In Psalm 112:1 (NASB) it says, "Praise the Lord! Blessed is a person who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments."
Love God With All Our Mind
Loving God with our mind means focusing our attention on Him and making decisions that please Him. This includes meditating on Him, taking time to pray silently to Him, and choosing to do the right thing. It can also mean making our mental habits and thoughts acceptable to Him.
Love God With All Our Strength
This means to love God with all we've got. Don't hold yourself back from God; jump in! Apathy towards God is the #1 killer of love. Let yourself fall in love with Him without reserve.
Ways To Fall In Love God
Below are some ways to love God and develop a relationship with Him.
Worship Him
Worshipping God is one of the best ways to draw closer to Him. For a more closer look at worship, take a look at this article here.
Meditate on Scripture
Try incorporating some times during the week when you dwell on a few verses and digest what they say. Doing this helps you learn more about who God is and allows Him to speak to you.
Listen to His Voice
Take time to sit in a quiet place and listen for God's voice. Invite Him to speak to you and absorb what He says.
This can be difficult at first. Don't be discouraged if your mind wanders and you have to drag it back. Everyone has that problem. After a lot of practice you'll be able to focus.
This can be difficult at first. Don't be discouraged if your mind wanders and you have to drag it back. Everyone has that problem. After a lot of practice you'll be able to focus.
Talk to Him
Praying to God doesn't have to take hours, though it can. You can bring anything up to Him and He will listen. If you're in the middle of a busy day, a few quick words to Him can help calm you down.
Deal With Any Negative Feelings
Maybe you're angry or disappointed in God because of something He did or allowed to happen. These feelings can block your love for Him. If you have any negative feelings towards God, take time to sort through them and deal with them so you can have an unhindered relationship with God.
How To Express Your Love For God
As your love for God begins to grow, you may wish to show your love for Him. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Sing to Him
- Write notes to Him and/or start a prayer journal
- Obey His commandments
- Serve
- Dedicate something to Him
- Do something in His name
- Give time, money, or talents and help someone.
Anyone can love God. He wants everyone to become attached to Him, just as He is attached to us. Forming a relationship with Him can be hard and time consuming, but in the end it's one of the best things you can do.
How can you start loving God today?
How can you start loving God today?
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5 Comments
Amen!
As we just finished celebrating Father's Day, sometimes we forget that God is in that category too! God shows us more love than any father can, he loves us unconditionally. Love is super important in our walk with Christ!
You're so right, Lizzy! After all the Bible says that love is the greatest.
Thank you for the tips on how to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength!
You're welcome!