Who Defines Love?
Do We Have the Right to Define Love for God?
Many people readily accept God's word when it defines how He loves us. We rejoice in scriptures that describe His mercy, grace, and faithfulness. However, when it comes to defining how we should love Him in return, some believe they have the liberty to determine what their love should look like. But do we have that authority? Does scripture give us the freedom to decide what is an acceptable display of love for God?
The answer is clear in 1 John 5:3 (NKJV):
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
Here, God Himself defines what it means to love Him: keeping His commandments. Why? Because they are not burdensome—they are for our good.
Love for God is not based on what we feel is sufficient but on what He has commanded because he knows and wants what is best for us.
Love Is Obedience
Jesus reinforces this truth in John 14:15 (NKJV):
"If you love Me, keep My commandments."
There is no ambiguity in this statement. Jesus directly ties love for Him to obedience. Love is not simply a feeling or an emotional connection—it is demonstrated by our willingness to follow His commands.
This same principle is seen in John 14:21 (NKJV):
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Love for God is inseparable from obedience to His word. If we claim to love Him but reject His commandments or pick and choose what to obey, then we are not truly loving Him in the way He has defined.
Love Is Not Based on Our Preferences
Some argue that they love God in their own way, perhaps through acts of kindness, charity, or personal devotion, even if they do not fully submit to His commandments. While good deeds and worship are important, they do not replace obedience. Love for God must be on His terms, not ours.
We see this illustrated in 1 Samuel 15:22 (NKJV):
"Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams."
God desires obedience over anything else we might offer. Our love must align with His standards, not what we consider sufficient.
God's Love Calls for a Response
God has already demonstrated His love for us in the greatest way possible:
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, NKJV)
In response, our love for Him should be reflected in complete obedience, not selective obedience.
We do not have the authority to redefine love—God has already done that in His word.
How Will You Show Your Love for God?
If we truly love God, we will submit to His will, not our own. Our love will be seen in the way we live, the choices we make, and our commitment to keeping His commandments. As 1 John 2:5 (NKJV) says:
"But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him."
Loving God is not about convenience, personal preference, or feelings—it is about faithful obedience. The question is, will we love Him the way He desires or the way we desire?
How will you show your love for God today?