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What God Wants Most

One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” —Mark 12:28-31 (NLT)

If you love me, obey my commandments. —John 14:15 (NLT)
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. —John 14:15 (NASB)

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. —John 14:21
Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. —John 14:24

The clearest, most profound expression of love that we can offer to God is our obedience to His commands.

How can we increasingly love God through our obedience?

• View every act of obedience as an act of love.
• Diligently search the Bible for God’s commands. (Matthew 5-7; Ephesians 4-5; James 1-5)
• Know that you will be running counter to the masses

How do we love people well?

• Biblical love is to want and do what is best for someone
• Diligently search the Bible for what is best for someone (Matthew 5-7; Ephesians 4-5; James 1-5)

When you lay your head on the pillow at night ask these questions:

• Lord, did I love You well?

o Did I obey You out of deep love?
o Was I willing to run counter to the culture today?
o Am I learning what You want through Your Word?

• Did I love people well?

o Did I want and do what was best for them according to Your Word?