By The Bible tells us to love God.
We’ve turned that into a demand to do something. It’s really an invitation to appreciate something: His goodness, shown to us in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6).
Anything we do should flow from that appreciation, not as a way to manufacture it.
Take the woman in Luke 7 who knelt at Jesus’ feet in tears, wiped them with her hair, and poured out her perfume on Him. She’d simply seen how much mercy she’d been shown, and she couldn’t help but show her love in return.
Psychology calls this “reciprocal liking.” You naturally return love for what shows you love first. It works with people. It especially works with God, who loved you long before you loved Him back (Romans 5:8).
So if you want to grow a greater sense of your love for God, one that moves you to serve and give and pray, don’t force it. Just remember what He’s already done. Look to Jesus’ life, His death on the cross, or your own story, and all God’s provided to bring you here.
Loving God was never a demand to do. It’s simply what happens when you know His goodness. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).
Recommended to watch: You Can Stop Trying to Love God More
Recommended resource: Undisciplined: Led by the Spirit, Not by the Rules (get all 6 messages instantly for a donation of any amount)