ALTOGETHER A CHRISTIAN: THE LOVE OF GOD

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart.” MATTHEW 22:37 NASB We come, second, to what is implied in being altogether a Christian. First, the love of God. So says His Word: “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength’ ” (Mark 12:30 NKJV). Such a love as this occupies the whole heart, takes up all the affections, fills the entire capacity of the soul, and employs the utmost extent of all its faculties. One who thus loves is continually rejoicing in God. His delight is in the Lord, his Lord and his all, to whom he gives thanks in all things. All his desire is toward God and to the remembrance of His name. His heart is always crying out, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none on earth that I desire beside Thee.” Indeed, what can he desire but God? Not the world or the things of the world, for he is crucified to the world and the world is crucified to him. He is crucified to the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life. He is dead to pride of every kind: For “love is not puffed up.” One who is dwelling in love, dwells in God, and God in him; and he is less than nothing in his own eyes. For the love of God is a mark of the altogether Christian.

Wesley, John (2011-02-01). Renew My Heart (Classic Insights) . Barbour Publishing, Inc.. Kindle Edition.