Values of the Incredible Family
Love God – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 22:34-40

Key Verse: Deuteronomy 6:5

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

If our top priority doorframe value is to love God, then it is imperative to know how to make that happen as a reality in our lives.  The Apostle Paul wrote these words: “For God is working in you, giving you the desires and the power to do what pleases Him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT).  This is where loving God truly begins—with God Himself.  He must be invited into our hearts to begin His work of transformation of passions.  He will work in us to give us the wants—the passions—that will lead to a lifestyle that will honor Him.

            We must not become like the Pharisees that were great in their disciplines but lost their true love for God Himself.  They had become great rule makers, and even good rule keepers.  They focused on looking good on the outside.  Looking on, we would say of them: “Wow!  They really love God.”  It seemed that way from a human perspective.  Again, Paul’s words explain it well: “These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe discipline.  But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” (Colossians 2:23 – emphasis mine).

            Our daily prayers should focus on God and the work of Christ in our hearts.  We should honor that work by seeking it—asking God to change our evil desires into righteous desires.  The result will be a lifestyle that does obey some rules but that will be a by-product of our deep love for God.

Father, you see my inner being, I give you permission to form it into a heart of your making.  In Jesus’ name, amen.