Before reading this, please read the Relationship Topic – Love is Obey.
Throughout the Bible, God’s Word is very clear. To Love God is to obey Him – that is love for God. 2 John 1:6 - And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. John 14:15 - If you love me, you will obey what I command. And these are only two of many verses and examples in Scripture that support the truth: to love him is to obey. So if love for God really is obeying him...
What if we looked at the Bible verses about love – through the lens of this truth?
Could it give us an even deeper perspective that could help us grow in our love for God! Here’s what some key verses about love look like – in light of this truth; that to love Him is to obey. I Corinthians 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them thatobey/love him. Gal 5:6 - For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through obedience/love. Ephesians 5:1-2 - Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in the way of obedience/love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit isobedience/love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, Hebrews 10:24 - And let us consider how we may spur one another on towardobedience/love and good deeds, I Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and obedience. But the greatest of these isobedience/love. Ephesians 3:16-18 - I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in obedience/love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, Mark 12:30 - And you mustobey/love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' This is the first commandment. Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those whoobey/love God and are called according to his purpose for them. I Timothy 6:11 - But you, man of God, flee from all this, andpursue righteousness, godliness, faith, obedience/ love, endurance and gentleness.
Deuteronomy 30:6 - "The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you willobey/love himwith all your heart and soul and so you may live! I John 4:10 - This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent (gave) his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (This reminds us that God’s love of giving to us far surpasses our love of obeying him.) I John 4:16 - And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in obedience/love lives in God, and God in them. I John 4:17 - And as we live in God, our obedience/love grows more complete. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (John is talking to Christians – not fearing that with every sin, they will lose their salvation – but as Jesus lived in full obedience to His Heavenly Father on earth – so we are to live the same way.) I John 4:18 - There is no fear in obedience/love. But complete obedience/love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made complete in obedience/love. (Before learning that love for God means obedience – this verse made no sense. He’s talking love – a warm fuzzy feeling, then jumps to punishment? What does that have to do with anything? – I thought we were talking about love? But knowing that love for God is obeying – now it makes perfect sense! Those who don’t obey have reason to fear punishment, those who obey as the Holy Spirit leads them, don’t have to be afraid – obeyers don’t fear punishment – disobeyers fear punishment. Punishment comes to those who disobey, not those who obey.) I John 4:19 - We obey/love because he first loved us. (Gave his life for us. He loved by giving, we love by obeying.) Jude 1:21 - Keep yourselvesin the obedience/love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
(Clearly we don’t keep ourselves in God’s love for us, He does that, we keep ourselves in our love for God – by continuing to obey Him, walking in the Spirit, denying the desires of our old man, having put on Christ.) I Corinthians 13:1- If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not haveobedience/love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. I Corinthians 13:2 - If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not haveobedience/love, I am nothing. I Corinthians 13:3 - If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not haveobedience/love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:4 – Obedience/love is patient, Obedienceis kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
I Corinthians 13:5 - It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
I Corinthians 13:6 - Obedience/love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
I Corinthians 13:7 - It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Obedience never falters.
I Corinthians 14:1 - Pursueobedience/love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. I Corinthians 16:14 - Do everything in obedience/love. Colossians 3:14 - Above all, clothe yourselves withobedience/love, which binds us all together in perfect unity. I Corinthians 8:1 - Now as to things which have been sacrificed to idols. This is a subject which we already understand--because we all have knowledge of it. Knowledge, however, tends to make people conceited; it isobedience/love that builds us up. (Knowledge puffeth up but obedience love edifies - both us and others) I Timothy 4:12 - Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in obedience/love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 1:5 - The goal of this command isobedience/love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
(This is so true. The goal of every command is that it be obeyed. Obedience comes from a pure heart and a clean conscience, you don’t feel guilty for disobeying. A clean conscience means you have obeyed as best as you know… and sincere faith means you will obey what God says. Faith is always proven by obedience, just like love is) 2 Timothy 2:22 - Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead,pursue righteous living, faithfulness, obedience/love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. Ephesians 6:23-24 - Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give youobedience/love with faithfulness. May God's grace be eternally upon all whoobey/love our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 1:14 - The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and obedience /love that are in Christ Jesus, (If you are in Christ – you will obey.) 2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but (a spirit) ofpower, obedience/love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:13 – Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and obedience/love that are in Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:9 - And this is my prayer: that your obedience/love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts to the obedience/love of God and to the endurance of Christ. Psalms 119:165 - Great peace have those who obey/love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Deuteronomy 6:5 – Obey/love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Psalms 91:14 - "Because heobeys/loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. Luke 16:13 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and obey/love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot obey both God and money." Exodus 20:6 - but showing love to a thousand generations of those whoobey/love me andkeep my commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 - Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those whoobey/love himand keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 10:12 - And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, toobey him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, Deuteronomy 11:1 – Obey/love the LORD your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always. Deuteronomy 30:6 - "The LORD your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you willobey/love himwith all your heart and soul and so you may live! Joshua 23:11 - "So be very diligent to obey/love the LORD your God, Psalms 31:23 – Obey/love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. (Love the Lord) Luke 6:36 - "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? John 8:42 - Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you wouldobey/love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Luke 11:42 - "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and theobedience/love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. John 5:39-42 - You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. "Your approval means nothing to me, but I know you--that you haveno obedience/love for God within you. I Corinthians 8:3 - But whoeverobeys/loves Godis known by God.
John 14:31 - but he comes so that the world may learn that Iobey/love the Fatherand do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave. (love the Father) I Corinthians 16:22 - If anyone does notobey/love the Lord, let him be Anathema. (excommunicated, accursed) 2 Corinthians 6:6 - We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere obedience/love. 2 Corinthians 8:7 - But since you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in theobedience/love we have kindled in you --see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:8 - I am not demanding it of you, but I want to test thesincerity of yourobedience/love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. Ephesians 1:4 - According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before himin obedience/love: Please note: Obedience proves our salvation, but it doesn’t earn it! Don’t get confused. We are saved by faith in Christ alone, not our own works. Yet the Word of God is clear, if we are in Christ – we will live in obedience to him.
I John 2:5 - But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:
2 Peter 3:14 - So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
God is not saying we need to make effort to retain our salvation, Jesus death covers our sin for eternity. Yet God expects us to walk in obedience so that we can be found blameless before him.
I Peter 1:15-16 - But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
(This means – we love God by obeying!) When we walk in the Spirit – he will lead us in obeying him, so that we will be found blameless. God even says – He’ll give us the grace to want to obey!
Philippians 2:13 - for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. I Thessalonians 5:8 - But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and obedience /love and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
(Here the truth that love is obedience makes perfect sense. The breastplate of faith and love is the breastplate of faith and obedience – obviously it’s through faith that we obey – if we didn’t believe God told us to do it, or that it would make any difference, we wouldn’t do it. Faith and obedience work together – you have faith – that’s why you obey - that’s why God says faith and obedience are the breastplate. If you don’t believe and you don’t obey – you’ll suffer wounds you shouldn’t suffer. Salvation protects our head, and faith and obedience protect our heart the two most vulnerable parts the enemy tries to attack.) I Timothy 6:11 - But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, obedience /love, endurance and gentleness. 1 John 2:15 - Do notobey/love the world or anything in the world. If anyoneobeys/loves the world, obedience /love for the Father is not in them.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 - and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refusedto obey/love the truth and so be saved.
(love = obey is so clear here. When people are deceived, they don’t obey, if they loved the truth – they would obey it – and so be saved. If they don’t obey the truth, they can’t be saved – whether from eternal damnation (salvation) or deliverance from trial. God provides the way of escape but we have to take it. (If not, He will forgive us, but we are not truly delivered until we walk in obedience – that’s the definition of being delivered, not stuck in it anymore, not continuing under bondage) I Timothy 6:10 – for the obedience/love of money is the root of all evil.
(Wow, love = obey makes perfect sense in this context. Jesus said you can’t serve God and money – aka you can’t obey God and obey money. You will obey one and hate the other or you will hold to the one and despise the other. Serve - douleuo (dool-yoo-o) means to be a slave to – slaves obey their masters. Money cannot be your master, it cannot direct your decisions. Obey God not money. Love is obey.) I Pet 1:8 - Though you have not seen him, you obey/love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
(Believe means you’ll obey, and obedience brings joy – love really is to obey) James 1:12 - Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who obey/love him.
(Clearly if you love him, you will obey him, and only obeyers will get the crown of life – not the sinless, but the blameless. Clearly those who do not obey will not receive the crown of life – those who persist in sin will be assigned a place with the unbelievers. Your salvation is not earned, nor in jeopardy, but if you are in Christ you will live in him, you will not continue in darkness because His seed is in you.) Revelation 3:19 - As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. (Repent of what? Disobedience. God loves us so he will chasten us if are not obeying /loving him.) I Thessalonians 3:6 - But now Timothy has just returned, bringing us good news about your faith andobedience/love. He reports that you always remember our visit with joy and that you want to see us as much as we want to see you. Revelation 2:19 - I know your deeds, your obedience/love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.
(This church was commended for their faith and obedience, and perseverance, but they didn’t excommunicate the person who was influencing others to disobey God – the opposite of love.) 3 John 1:6 - They have told the church here of your obedience/love. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. I Cor 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and obedience. But the greatest of these is obedience.
A PRISM Topic: is God’s Word on a single subject. A Relationship Topic is a perspective from God's Word on relationships. A PRISM Topic Packet is a grouping of PRISM or Relationship Topics of similar subjects... part of the M: Meditate on theWord of PRISM – (5 Things You Can Do Daily in God’s Word) to transform the way you think. Ask God what PRISM Topic or Relationship Topic He wants you to meditate on today.Take your PRISM Topic, Relationship Topic or Packet with you! Come back to them multiple times a day! “It is to be with him, and he is to meditate on it day and night, so that he may learn to fear the LORD…” - Deuteronomy 17:19 PRISM Topics - RELATIONSHIP Topics - PRISM Topic Packets