If you’d like to love God more than you do right now, there’s one thing you’ve got to do. It’s not unusual. It’s the same thing needed for loving others more.
I got to thinking about this one thing at a Memorial Service for a friend who recently died. Bob was a member of the church where I am a pastor in the San Francisco Bay area. Having only served as the Lead Pastor of Bridges Community Church for a little over five years, I didn’t know Bob as well as the over 300 people who came to celebrate his life.
Welcome To Eternity
Bob’s death came as a shock to everyone. His health was great – at least that’s what everyone thought. Even his Doctor had given him a recent stellar health report after an annual physical. I certainly didn’t see his death coming when we spoke by phone just prior to his usual evening bike ride. Little did I know that this guy I loved, admired, and respected was making his last phone call and about to get in his last exercise. Bob‘s heart stopped about a third of the way through his bike ride.
I had the honor of speaking briefly at the Celebration Service for Bob. I focused on the hope of life after death. Jesus’ words in John 11:25 are packed with hope. The Lord said, “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” Over forty years ago, Bob believed and became a Christ-follower. Because of that, Bob didn’t die when he died. He lived. Today Bob is with the Lord in heaven.
Easy to Love
I loved Bob. I loved ministering with him. I loved the person he was. I loved that he loved his wife, and kids, and grandkids. I loved that he was a person of integrity. I loved that he was a “go to” guy. That he could be counted to get a job done, and done well. I loved that Bob loved the Lord and faithfully served Him right up to his last breath. There were a ton of things I loved about Bob. And I only knew him for five years.
During the celebration service for Bob a number of people talked about him. For me, that was the best part of the celebration, because I heard one person after another – family, old friends, fellow pilots, realtors – speak about their love for Bob. They shared things I hadn’t known about Bob.
Even More Love
What was said about Bob that evening elevated my love for this godly man. Hearing about how he gave his time for others. How he loved his wife and children. How he approached others when they were in the wrong. How he could be counted on to get a job done. How he was there for his grandchildren. How he’d given back money or goods to new homeowners. How he went out of his way to show concern, kindness, and understanding.
As my knowledge of Bob’s life broadened, my love for Bob naturally increased. What I heard made me wish I had known more about Bob than I did. I would have loved him even more than I did.
Greater Knowledge, Greater Love
And that’s an insight worth remembering, especially as it concerns our relationship with God. If you’d like to grow in your love for God, get to know God in greater ways than you do right now. As your knowledge of God grows, you love for God will also grow.
Too often a person’s love for God is limited because they don’t know very much about Him. They’re familiar with some books and verses and stories from the Bible, but that’s about it. Their love for God is small because their knowledge of God is small.
That’s’ where Bible StoryBoards comes in. Our 15 StoryBoards and the storyline that goes with them can help you love God more than you do right now as you grow in your knowledge of who He is and what He’s done for you. As you follow the story of God and man that the Bible tells you’ll be amazed and changed by what you learn. And your love for God will increase.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
Note the vital connection between a personal relationship with God and knowledge of God. Knowing God personally, intimately, and deeply results in greater love – for both God and others.
Let Bible StoryBoards help you grow in your understanding of who God is. Our book is available through the picture link below.
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Related Post: Why My Love for God Is Greater Today Than It Was Twelve Months Ago