Text: Matthew 22:37
By: Bro. Timothy Ejenavi
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Definition:
Love: according to the advanced Learner’s dictionary in
this context is a feeling of deep affection for somebody e.g a mother’s love
for her children. This type of love is in contrast with the sensual or romantic
love between two opposite sexes.
God – is the family name for the God – head (Father, son
and Holy Spirit), the creator of all that exist both in heaven, earth and even
beneath. To him is all Majesty, praise, dominion and Glory. Heaven is His
throne and abode.
Introduction
The question was eventually hotly contested among the
Pharisees of Jesus’ days of more than 600 leaves that made up the Mosaic Law
which was the most important, was a law that had to do with sacrifice.
After all, the sacrifices were made both to receive
forgiveness for sins and thanksgiving to God or might the supreme law be that
of circumcision? Yes, the law of circumcision was very important because it was
the covenant that God entered with Abraham. Gen. 17: 9-13.
On the other hand conservatives are of the view (opinion)
that since every law that God gave (made) was great, even though some were
lesser value. It would be wrong to put any commandment above others. The
Pharisees decided to put this controversial question before Christ, perhaps in
their thoughts or reasoning he might say something that could damage his
credibility- so one of them pose the question “which is the greatest law”. Matt.
22:34-36.
Jesus answer is of tremendous importance for us today. In
His reply, he summed up what has been and always will be the essence of true
worship. Quoting from Deut.6:5 in Matt. 22:37, He said
“You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart, with all your soul and
with your mind. This is the greatest commandment of all. Though the Pharisee
asked for just one, Jesus gave him another, emphasizing the importance of love.
Quoting another scripture from Leviticus 19:18, He said, you must
love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus answer points the way of true and pure
worship and it also forestall any attempt to get him to list all the laws in
order of importance for he concluded “on
these laws hangs all the laws the prophets” – Matthew 22:37-40.
In this sermon we will be considering the greater of
these two commandments why we must love God which informed the title “Love The God who loves you” by
considering these sub headings:
- The
Importance Of Love
- Why we
should love God
- How we
should love Him
- How we
can cultivate or develop our Love for God
The Importance of Love
From the foregoing introduction, it seems that the
Pharisees who questioned Jesus was neither shocked nor surprised by the answer
he received. He knew that the love of God was an essential of true worship,
though many failed to display it. The confession of our faith shows that God
first demonstrated His love for chosen people – Deuteronomy 6:4-9, hence
he response in Matthew 22:37-40.
In the parallel account in Mark 12:32-34, the
response of the Pharisee who questioned Jesus shows the paramount and
importance of love for God – for the He said, “32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the
truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And
to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, [a]with
all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself,
is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”34 Now when Jesus saw that
he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of
God.”But after that no one dared question Him.”. Having answered thus in vs 32,
Jesus told him, you are not far from the kingdom of God.
Indeed, while burnt offering and sacrifices were
essential part of worship as required by the law, what God actually look at is
the loving heart condition of his servants.
A sparrow offered to God in devotion and true love was
worth more to him than thousands of rams given with wrong motives – Micah
6:6-8.
Recall the account of the poor and needy widow when Jesus
commanded in Mark 12:41-44; because of her heart condition though she gave
only two coins (all she had).
How interesting to know that God values most what we can
express in terms of our Love for Him irrespective of our circumstances.
Stressing the importance of Love in true worship. Apostle
wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “Though I speak with the tongues
of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so
that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to
feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be
burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing”. Surely, love for God and fellow
neighbour is paramount if our worship is to be pleasing to God.
Why We Should Love God
Our Creator expects us to love Him and many reasons can
be adduced from this one sure reason why we should love God is that He requires
us to reflect His qualities.
God is both the source and supreme example of Love. “God
is Love” wrote the inspired apostle John (1 John 4:8). Humans
were created in God’s image and were designed to love. He wants our love as we
continue to desire His righteousness.
Another reason for loving God is to show our appreciation
for what He has done for us. Recall that Jesus said to the Jews, “You must
love Jehovah your God”.
They were not expected to love a divine being who was
distant and unknown. They were to love a person who has revealed his love to
them. He was the one who brought them out of the land of Egypt into the promise
land, the One who protected them, sustained them and cherished them, the one
who disciplined them with love. And today, Jehovah is our God, The one who gave
His son as a ransom that we might have everlasting life.
How reasonable it is that God expects us to love Him in
return. Our love is a responsive one, loving the God who first love us. 1
John 4:19.
Our love for God is comparable to our earthly parents who
expects us to show them our love after they have brought us into this world
toil and labour to bring us up to make sure that we succeed.
Yes, it is prudent for us to love our creator in return
for what He has done for us.
- How we should love God
Many believe that love is an emotion over which we have
little control; yes, people speak of falling in love, yet real love is not just
something we feel, it is characterized and defined by action not sentiment.
Christians are admonished to love not “only
word nor with the tongue, but indeed and truth” 1 John. 3:18.
The love of God compels us to do what is pleasing to Him
and to defend His sovereignty, the love of God avoid loving the world and its
ungodly ways. (1 John. 2:15-16) those who love God hate what is bad (Psm.
97:10).
The love for God also involves the love for our
neighbours which is the second commandment in love. Furthermore, the love for
God requires our total obedience. 1 John 5:3 says “for this is the Love of God that we keep His commandments”.
Jesus demonstrated perfectly what it means to love God.
He glorify God the father by the things He did and taught. Love moves him to be
obedient unto death Phil. 2:8. It was this supreme obedience and love for the
father that opened the way for faithful ones to have a righteous standing
before God.
Those who truly love God long for His guidance,
recognizing our limitations not being able to direct our own steps Jer.
10:23.
Our love therefore must be total involving our heart,
mind, soul and strength (Mk. 12:30).
- Cultivating our Love for God
To cultivate or develop our love for God requires a lot
of spiritual energy and sacrifices. We have neither seen God nor heard His
voice (John 1:18); yet he invites us to enter into a loving
relationship with him (James 4:8).
How can we do this, the first step toward anyone is to
have knowledge about that person. It is difficult to feel deep affection for
someone we do not know. God has provided His word (The bible) so we can learn
about him. That is why God through His church encourages us to study the
scriptures diligently so that we can rightly interpret His words 2
Tim. 2:15. It is the bible that teaches us about God, His qualities,
His personality as well as His dealings with people over thousands of years. As
we meditate on such accounts our appreciation and love for Him will continue to
grow. Rom. 15:4.
One sure and primary way we can grow our love for God is
to reflect on the life and ministry of Christ. Jesus mirrored the father so
perfect that He could say “He that has
seen me has seen the Father” John 14:9.
When we continue to meditate on the abundant loving
provision he has made to let us enjoy life – viz the beauty of creation the
endless varieties of delicious things to eat, the warm companionship of good
friends and relations as well as other countless delights that gives us
pleasure and satisfaction, our love for God will continue to grow and be
watered by our obedience to His will. Among, the many gifts of God is the
opportunity we have as his chosen people to approach him in prayers knowing
that He hears and answers us. But above all, the most precious gift is
everlasting life through the precious blood of his beloved son Jesus Christ who
though committed no sin was crucified for our sake.
Why should we not continue to appreciate God for His
wonderful endless and unquantifiable blessings.
In fact, we should always water our love for God through
constant obedience to His will, the only way we can cultivate and develop our
love unto unto the end.
CONCLUSION
Moses recognized the benefits of cultivating and
maintaining our love for Jehovah; to the ancient Israelites He said “I have set before you life and death,
blessing and cursing therefore choose life that both you and your descendants
may live that you may love the Lord your God that you may obey His voice and
that you may cling to Him for He is your life and length of your days. Deut. 30:19-20.
Finally my beloved brethren, whatsoever things are true,
are noble, are just, are lovely, are of good report, if there be any virtue and
if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things and the God of peace
will be with you… Amen. Phil. 4:8
Finally my beloved brethren, whatsoever things are true, are noble, are just, are lovely, are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things and the God of peace will be with you… Amen. Phil. 4:8
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