Let us also remember that Jesus taught the first and greatest commandment in Scripture is to love our God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36-38).  He quoted the “Great Shema” in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Hear O Israel!) and we ought not miss this call to listen connected with the summons to obeyGod’s commands from our hearts in verse six. So when we are tempted to sin (which is the transgression of God’s Law, 1 John 3:4), we should look our brethren in the eyes and ourselves in the mirror and ask, “Do you love God?”

Contemplating the question, “If you could preach only one sermon, what would it be?” the thought that keeps returning is, “Love God.” 

Perhaps this focus of proclamation comes to mind because our church’s men’s study is going through Jonathan Edwards’ Charity and Its Fruits based on 1 Corinthians 13.  Profound indeed it is that whatever we endeavor for God—however much according to His commands in the littlest jots and tittles—profits us absolutely nothing before the Lord without His love as its source and sum. 

Thus, Jesus calls out the orthodox church of Ephesus with a severe warning about losing her first love for Him (Revelation 2:4).  In one of our men’s studies, we somberly mused on the possibility of going in and out of the church’s doors and pews guided by the regulative principle while completely void of any real worship for hours without love!

Of course, we are to obey God.  In fact, our obedience is a litmus test for whether our love for God is true. A want of willingness to submit to God in whatever He commands is symptomatic of a lack of love for Him.

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