In honest self-evaluation, would you admit that we all often love God for what we get from Him? Think about it: we get blessings, salvation, love, and forgiveness. We feel good about ourselves because we are loved. He gives our life meaning, so we love Him for it. Isn’t that often the way it goes?


Only an immature love and the relationship that flows from it are based on what we get from another person. It is true with the Persons of God, too. We are to love Him not for what we get, but for who He is! Love Him because He is worthy to be loved, and not for what He can give you. Don’t base your love to God (or to anyone) on conditions of what you are given. Simply love.


The Holy Spirit lives in you, and by His power you can love completely in every fiber of your being. Love with all your heart because God’s Spirit has turned your hard heart of stone into a soft heart of flesh. And though we need not be motivated by what we get out of God’s love, He has indeed given us everything and more in
Jesus Christ!