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If we love God with all of our heart, mind, and soul, we can not
avoid expressing to Him our love. We all, at one time or another,
may ask: "How do I tell God I love Him?" Words seem so insignificant
because they are cheap - they have no cost. To people, we give gifts.
But who has a gift for God? Does he not own all things - including
the people of His creation? What can I give God that is not already
His?
We can tell God that we love Him in prayer and song in which we
praise Him, worship Him, and ask His favor. But that is not where
the expression of love ends. Even with the people we love and the
people who love us, we associate love with acts of love.
For example, a man may say he loves his wife, but he beats her
to a pulp. Does he love her? He may say he loves her with words,
but his actions say that he hates her. I may also tell my children
I love them. But if I spend their food money on personal pleasure,
do I love them or have I spoken lies? I may tell you that I love
my dog. But if I kick my dog every time I pass, do I love him or
hate him?
We express our love to others by our behavior (actions) in addition
to words. The same is true regarding our love for God. John records
Jesus teaching hours before His death saying: "If you love Me, keep
My commandments" (John 14:15). Upon this statement, we conclude
that the opposite is also true. If we do not love Jesus, we do not
keep His commandments. Therefore, by keeping Jesus' commands we
tell Him we love Him, and by not keeping His commands we tell Him
we do not love Him.
In I John 5:3 we read: "For this is the love of God, that we keep
His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." If we
love God, we will keep His commands. Therefore, by keeping God's
commands we tell Him we love Him, and by not keeping His commands
we tell Him we do not love Him.
Since we express our love to God by keeping His commands in addition
to spoken words, this sets forth another obligation for those who
love God - to learn of His commands. How can I say I love God and
therefore desire to keep His commands, if I do not put forth a concerted
effort to learn His commands through study of His word? If I tell
God in prayer I love Him and desire to keep His commands but spend
little time in study, do I really love Him? Do I love God with all
my heart, mind, and soul, or am I putting on a facade constructed
of ignorance through deliberate neglect?
In II Timothy 3:16-17 Paul says: "All Scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work." Now if we love God to
keep His commands, we must turn to His word, learn of His commands,
and set forth in the doing of His commands. If not, we can not say:
"God, I love you" since we have neglected His equipping of doctrine,
reproof, and instruction. To say with words: "I love God" but not
study His word, I Love Him is like a man who says: "I love my kids"
but never puts food in their mouth - even if he has to beg, a man
can feed his family.
Paul writes to the Romans concerning their devotion and obedience
to God. Although not specifically addressing his remarks within
the context of love until chapter thirteen, Paul says in Romans
12:1-2: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable
to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God." Now this is love, to obey God's commands as a living
sacrifice. Is this not the way to say: "God, I love you." Is there
any other way to tell God we love Him except in our speech and in
obedient response to His word? If there is, what would it be - disobedience
and hatred?
We may only judge ourself - no one else. Do I love God? Have I
told God I love Him? Do I show God I love Him everyday by keeping
His commands? Am I living a life of sacrifice to do God's will above
my own will? Does my love for God move me to diligently study His
word and learn more about Him and His commands? If you answered
"no" to any one of these questions, why not change today and tell
God: "I love you!"
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