Topical Bible: Love to God: God, Faithful to Those Who Have

◄ Love to God: God, Faithful to Those Who Have ►

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The concept of love to God is central to the Christian faith, emphasizing a deep, personal relationship with the Creator. This love is not merely an emotional response but a commitment that encompasses obedience, reverence, and devotion. The Bible consistently portrays God as faithful to those who love Him, promising His presence, guidance, and blessings.

Biblical Foundation

The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, is a foundational text that underscores the importance of loving God: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This commandment is reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

God's Faithfulness

God's faithfulness to those who love Him is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. In Deuteronomy 7:9, it is written, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." This verse highlights the enduring nature of God's covenantal love and faithfulness.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's faithfulness. Psalm 145:20 states, "The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy." Here, the psalmist contrasts the security and protection afforded to those who love God with the fate of the wicked.

New Testament Assurance

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul affirms God's faithfulness to those who love Him. Romans 8:28 declares, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This assurance is a cornerstone of Christian hope, emphasizing that God's providential care is directed toward those who love Him.

The Apostle John also speaks to this relationship in 1 John 4:19: "We love because He first loved us." This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of love between God and believers, rooted in God's initiating love.

Expressions of Love to God

Loving God is expressed through obedience to His commandments, as Jesus states in John 14:15, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This obedience is not burdensome but a joyful response to God's love and faithfulness.

Worship is another vital expression of love to God. In John 4:23, Jesus speaks of true worshipers who "will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him." Worship is both an act of love and a recognition of God's worthiness.

God's Promises to Those Who Love Him

The Bible is replete with promises to those who love God. In James 1:12, it is written, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This promise of eternal life is a testament to God's faithfulness.

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds believers of the unimaginable blessings prepared for those who love God: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him." This verse speaks to the future hope and glory awaiting those who remain steadfast in their love for God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Treatise on the Love of God
... THE UNION OF MAN'S WILL WITH GOD'S IN THOSE INSPIRATIONS WHICH ... TO HEAVEN, YET IS
GIVEN TO THE FAITHFUL IN THIS ... IN SACRED LOVE, YET ONE MAY LOVE GOD IN VARIOUS ...
//christianbookshelf.org/francis/treatise on the love of god/

That the Love of God's Will Signified in the Commandments Moves us ...
... Verily, as witnesses the divine Psalmist, God hears not only the prayers of his
faithful, but even ... and forward is he to do the will of those who love him. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii that the love.htm

That this Divine Commandment of Love Tends to Heaven, yet is Given ...
... TO HEAVEN, YET IS GIVEN TO THE FAITHFUL IN THIS ... exempt from opposition, and therefore
we shall love God with a ... affection, as it is said of those four living ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that this divine.htm

A Means to Discern this Imperfect Love.
... source than human and imperfect love: for if perfect love reigned in ... as are only
possible, if we find a good and faithful feeling we are to thank God for it ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xi a means to.htm

By Faith the Operation of God is Recognised.
... In like manner faithful souls endure a constant succession ... God hides beneath veils
of darkness and illusive ... obstacle these souls follow Him and love Him even ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section ii by faith the operation.htm

The Wisdom of God's Counsels
... was pleased to remove any of his faithful labourers into ... the same life, the same
communion with God, the same zeal for his cause, the same burning love to souls ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 68 the wisdom of.htm

How God is Jealous of Us.
... although he knows well that she is faithful, and that ... of any other thing, not even
of God's gifts, yea ... So that the lamps of this pure love have neither oil, wick ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii how god is.htm

God Reigns in a Pure Heart.
... Let us start at once, let us lose ourselves in God, even in His heart, to ... in the
open air, and where He reveals the secrets of His love to faithful souls. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section viii god reigns in a.htm

In that Flesh in which the Saints have Suffered So Many ...
... receive the reward of their suffering; and that in the creation in which they were
slain because of their love to God ... For God is true and faithful; and on ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxii in that flesh in.htm

Submission a Free Gift to God.
... favours, they can attain to the same love, the same abnegation, the same God and
His ... so called because there are so few sufficiently faithful to become ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section vii submission a free gift.htm