Transformed by the Love of God and His Word
God’s Word reveals to us what it means to love God. The Lord cares about us. God has over and over proved His love. He knows what we need. God created us. God loves us enough to warn us. He instructs us. God died for us. He conquered hell and death for us. He rose for us, and He loves us unconditionally. Why would we not love Him back passionately and unconditionally? Why do we struggle in how to live with Jesus, love Jesus?
Psalm 119:97-100 says, “Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for your commands are my constant guides. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your decrees. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.”
How many of us would love God more if He gave us what we wanted when we wanted it? Is our love based on our unspoken conditions? If God gives us good gifts, lots of good gifts, then would we love God more? Why should we love God and His boundaries?
Here are three fundamental reasons why we need to love God and love His Word (scripture):
1. Because if we love His Word, we will be rewarded.
Proverbs 13:13 says, “He who despises the Word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded,” The Message paraphrases, “Ignore the Word and suffer; honor God’s commands and grow rich.”
Ultimately people who ignored God’s Word and chose to live outside its boundaries will end up living life narcissistically and recklessly. The Word of God is our protection against selfishness.
2. Because if we love His Word, we are given much more.
2 Samuel 12:7-8 says, “Then Nathan said to David, You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight?“
God gave us these commandments because He loves us and knows what is best for us, and if and when we choose to live outside of these directives, we will affect those around us. Our disobedience will splash over onto the ones we care about and live with.
3. Because if we love His Word, we will have joy and health restored.
Psalm 119:92-94 says, “If your law hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for you have used them to restore my joy and health. I am yours; save me! For I have applied myself to obey your commandments.”
But some may argue, look at my life and all I have, and I have not followed God’s commandments, so what about me? This is not saying we can’t accumulate lots of stuff, wealth but has that person fulfilled what God has called them to do and be? Are they living with joy and health?
If we love His Word and trust God over and over again, then the Bible says we will receive His blessings over and over again!
Wisdom: Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”
Knowledge (knowing what is right and wrong): Psalm 19:8-9 says, “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.”
Reward: Psalm 19:10-11 says, “More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them, Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.”
There are days when I don’t know how I will make it, but there is something greater than me that sustains me and keeps me going. I need the strength of the Lord to lean on, the power of His Word. I cannot make it on my own.
Loving God.
Pastor Steve