Love and Loyalty

To understand the sentiments of the Bible, we need to adjust some of our understanding of love as is expressed to us in our culture.

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.