Last night at Bible Study we were on the third of four videos in a series by Charles Stanley, on Loving God. Did you know, that once you know God personally, there is only one way for you to express your love to God? The answer is rather shocking.

It's obedience.

The Old Testament says that to obey is better than sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus says that if we love Him we should keep His commandments.

Obedience is the key to loving God. If you say you love God, and do not obey Him, you are missing the Love Boat.

You gotta get on the ship by receiving Him into your life. You can't love someone you don't even know! And you're going to have a hard time doing what they say if you don't love them. Oh, it can be done, but it's some kind of forced submission or obligation. It doesn't stem from love at all.

So, the measure of our love is obedience. Are we walking on the edge of "What can I get away with?" That's not love. Are we letting our emotions cloud our judgement, and doing or saying things that make US feel good, with no regard to others? That's not love.

If we REALLY love God, we will be passionately longing to do what He asks of us. We will be searching for HIS will, not glibly following ours, or doing what seems right or feels good to us. If we REALLY love God.