Love for Jesus
It is possible for people to be persuaded about the truths of the Christian faith and to enjoy the fellowship of Christians without coming to love Jesus himself. Both the Old and New Testaments emphasise that a genuine love for God, not merely rule-keeping, is at the heart of salvation and obedience. This is a disaster, as love for God is the door to salvation. James, the brother of Jesus, explained succinctly what God is looking for:
“ . . . to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” James 2:5
Old Testament
Salvation is only given to those who genuinely love the Lord. The great doctrinal statement of the Old Testament, the Shema, says the same:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Nothing less than a total commitment to love and serve the Lord will do. This was repeated
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…?” Deuteronomy 10:12–13
At the end of his life Joshua summonsed the Israelites and reminded them of this truth:
“So be very careful to love the Lord your God.” Joshua 23:11
Samuel reminded King Saul:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.”
God values inner devotion and relationship over external ritual.
“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6
This keeps being repeated, it is the relationship that results in obedience that God is looking for, not ritual.
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice…” 1 Samuel 15:22
After David sin over Bathsheba and her husband became known, he acknowledged:
“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Psalm 51:16–17
It is relatively easy, with hard work and attractive programmes to bring people into church. It is not so easy to persuade them to love the Lord. This requires a change of heart.
“Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart” 1 Samuel 16:7
New Testament
In the New Testament Jesus affirms that love for God is fundamental. When asked ‘What is the greatest commandment he replied,
“‘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 neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37–40
In his final teaching of the disciples he stresses that love for him is basic and this will be seen in obedience
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15
Saving faith is not found in rituals but in a love for Jesus
“…The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6
Religious faith without a love for God which overflows as love for others does not save people
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong . . . If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing…” 1 Corinthians 13:1–3
People need to be told that religious activity and faith mean nothing without love.
“This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome…”1 John 5:2–3
Church ministers and elders must keep reminding people that God has always wanted a relationship, not mere rule-following. Love leads to joyful obedience. Rules without love become legalism; love without obedience is empty. The Bible consistently teaches that salvation is by grace, received through faith, and true faith is shown in love and obedience.
BVP
