The Bible does talk about love as an affectionate love. We
are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). The
Israelites are told to circumcise their hearts (Deut. 10:16). The Palms are
full of affectionate sentiments toward God. God uses language of endearment toward
his people, referring to himself as a Father and a Husband.
Love in the Bible also conveys the idea of loyalty. Jesus
says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). Exodus
20:5-6, in the Ten Commandments, God contrasts those who hate God and to those
who obey his commands.
To love God we need to grow in our understanding both sides
of this spectrum. They go hand-in-hand. We see all throughout the Bible that
one cannot have one without the other. The love of God is true to the core of
one’s being and manifests itself in obedience to God’s commands.
