Lately, I’ve been posting about what it means to love God. It all starts with His love being birthed in us. Then, I must learn to love God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. From there, I need to do what it takes to have an undivided heart toward the Lord.
Now I want to talk about the result that God is looking for in us.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV
If I have an undivided heart, it works through to my actions. I want to show God my love. This love compels me – it arrests me, it carries me along
My life should show the love of God. But how does this work in my life? First, I want to talk about what this love is not.
“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”
Luke 11:42 NIV
The Pharisees believed that they loved God. I can’t even imagine tithing on this level. Actually bringing a tithe of the herbs you grow in your garden. Tithing is good, but by itself it doesn’t show God that you love Him.
It’s like a “workaholic” parent who is never home to spend time with their family because they choose to work late hours. When their children are older they say, “You never showed us any love.” The parent’s response is that they were working for their kids.
Jesus knew the condition of the hearts of these Pharisees.
…but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.
John 5:42 NIV
How did He know this? The Lord explained it to them.
How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
John 5:44 NIV
The fact is that if you love someone, you desire praise from the one you love. Therefore you do things that will please them. The opposite of this love is trying to convince them to be pleased with what you’re doing.
What does true love for God look like?
“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
John 14:21 NIV
This is what seeking praise from God is all about. If I want God to praise me – I find out what pleases Him.
First of all, you need to hear His commands. Then, we must obey those commands. In this verse, that word obey, means to guard, watch over, and keep your eye on to prevent loss or injury.
Love for God means guarding His commands. First, I must know His desires. Then I need to keep an eye on them. I should be rehearing them again and again.
That’s the importance of being in Scripture regularly. I get His Word on the inside of me. Then, in order to guard it – to make sure it’s not lost – I need to memorize it. After that, I need to take it a step further. I must do what it says.
Question: How much of God’s Word are you guarding in your heart?
© 2026 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 