How Do We Love God "for Real"?

November 27, 2024

What does it mean to truly love God? What is love, and how is God love? About a year ago, God gave me a profound statement that continues to shape my understanding:

“To know God is to love God because God is love, and to love God is to keep His commandments.”

This truth reveals the essence of our relationship with God and how love—true love—is more than a feeling. It’s an informed decision that leads to intentional action. Let’s explore how this unfolds and what it means for our lives.

To Know God is to Love God

Knowing God begins with grace. Grace is the evidence He gives us to understand and believe in Him. This grace goes beyond mere facts or information—it’s an invitation to truth, revealed through creation, scripture, and the witness of others. It’s the foundation for an informed decision to put our faith in Jesus.

For example, the natural world testifies to God’s power and design. Science, history, and even our own experiences point us toward Him. These aren’t random pieces of data; they are grace-filled revelations, helping us see God’s hand at work.

When we choose to know God, it’s only because He first revealed Himself to us. Grace enables us to respond. It’s not blind faith but a decision rooted in truth. As we come to know Him, we encounter His love because God is love.

God is Love: A Model of Informed Decision and Action

God’s love is not based on impulse or emotion. From the beginning, He made an informed decision to create us, knowing the end from the beginning. He chose to act in love, not for His benefit but out of His nature. God’s love is selfless and active—seen in creation, sustained through His care, and fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus.

This love is a reflection of who God is. It’s not about what we deserve but about who He is. When we know God, we see this love, and it compels us to love Him in return.

To Love God is to Keep His Commandments

Loving God is not just a decision; it’s a decision followed by action. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Our obedience to God’s Word and His Spirit’s guidance is the evidence of our love for Him.

But this obedience isn’t something we can muster on our own. God empowers us through His Spirit—what I call internal grace. His Spirit helps us live out His commandments, both the written Word and His personal direction in our lives. Love flows naturally when we are in Him because to know God is to love God, and to love God is to keep His commandments.

The Danger of Transactional Love

Too often, love is misunderstood as a transaction. People say, “Look at all I’ve done for you,” expecting something in return. While these actions might seem selfless, they can be motivated by pride or a desire for reciprocity. True love, however, is self-giving, not self-seeking.

God’s love isn’t transactional. He didn’t send Jesus to the cross expecting something in return. His love is a reflection of His character—completely selfless and unconditional. When we love God, it’s not about earning His favor but responding to His grace.

Love in Action: 1 Corinthians 13

Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 shows that love is both intentional and active:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

This passage reveals that love is defined by its choices—what it does and doesn’t do. True love reflects God’s nature, and it’s always rooted in truth. This kind of love is the foundation of keeping God’s commandments.

The Greatest Commandment: Loving God and Others

Jesus summarized love in Matthew 22:37-39:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is the starting point for loving ourselves and others. It’s only by knowing God and being filled with His love that we can truly love those around us.

What is Love?

So, what is love? Love is an informed decision plus action, rooted in truth. It’s not just a feeling or an emotional response—it’s a commitment to act in alignment with God’s will.

To Know God: Grace enables us to understand and respond to His love. It’s an informed decision to believe in Him.
To Love God: True love is a decision followed by action, empowered by His Spirit.
To Keep His Commandments: Obedience is the natural outflow of love. It’s not about rules but about living in alignment with God’s truth.