Love, for God

Believers’ response to God’s love

1 John 4:19 KJV 1900

We love him, because he first loved us.

See also Dt 7:7–8; Ps 116:1; Jn 15:16; Eph 2:4–5; 1 Jn 4:10

Love for God is commanded

Matthew 22:37–38 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

See also Dt 6:5; Dt 10:12; Dt 11:1; Jos 22:5; Jos 23:11; Ps 31:23

Loving God involves loving Jesus Christ

John 8:42 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

See also Jn 5:42; Jn 15:23

Expressing love for God

Delight in worship and in God’s house

Psalm 27:4 KJV 1900

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

See also Ps 26:8; Ps 43:4; Ps 65:4; Ps 84:2; Ps 122:1; Ps 122:6; Ac 2:46–47

Love for God’s word

Psalm 119:97 KJV 1900

MEM. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

See also Ps 1:2; Ps 19:7–8; Ps 19:10; Ps 119:16; Ps 119:35; Ps 119:72; Ps 119:163; Je 15:16; Eze 3:3

Self-sacrifice

Luke 14:33 KJV 1900

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

See also Jn 21:15–17; Ro 12:1; Php 3:8

Giving

1 Chronicles 29:3 KJV 1900

Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,

See also Ex 25:2; Ex 35:5; 1 Ch 29:6; 1 Ch 29:9; 2 Co 8:4–5; 2 Co 8:8; 2 Co 9:7

Obeying God

1 John 5:3 KJV 1900

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

See also Ps 40:8; Jn 14:15; Jn 14:23; Jn 15:14; 2 Jn 6

Loving others

1 John 4:21 KJV 1900

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

See also Jn 13:35; Jn 15:12; 1 Jn 4:11

The blessings of loving God

John 14:15–16 KJV 1900

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

See also Jn 14:23; Jn 16:27; 1 Pe 1:8

Examples of love for God and Jesus Christ

Psalm 18:1 KJV 1900

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.

See also Ps 73:25; Mt 26:7; Jn 12:3; Lk 2:37; Lk 7:47; Lk 24:53; Jn 11:16; Jn 21:16; Ac 21:13; Heb 6:10