I Ought to Love God More

Luke 7:47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” NKJV

The Pharisee was offended. This sinful woman had entered his house uninvited and anointed Jesus’ feet with oil. That a Rabbi would allow himself to be touched by a woman like this was unheard of. Yet this act of extravagant love serves as a model of worship for all of us to this day.

According to Jesus, there is a correlation between our understanding of grace and our expression of love. Where there is little revelation of grace, there will be little expression of love. Where there is a deep revelation of grace, love for God abounds.

Most believers are aware that their love for God should be stronger than it is. For those locked within the “just try harder” trap, a frustrating cycle of futile effort followed by frustration or even resignation often results. But the wonderful truth of this passage is that if I desire to grow in my love for God, the answer isn’t for me to try to love God more, but rather to receive his love more deeply. We love because he first loved us. (see 1Jn 4:19).

As I abandon self righteousness and rely on his righteousness alone, as my perception of the power and wonder of his grace for me increases, extravagant love will be unavoidable.