I came across 2 articles recently on a similar topic. Challies writes here that if we want to grow deeper in our love for God, we need to grow deeper in our knowledge of Him. Though we do not need to understand everything about God to be His children, he contends that we can really only love God inasmuch as we know Him.
Stanley Wong writes here, examining whether we can really separate receiving Christ as our Saviour and as our Lord. He discusses Rom 12:9, noting that the Bible is precise in its use that we confess Jesus as ‘Lord’. He contends that Jesus can only be our Saviour when we accept Him as our Lord, and that when we do so, we enter into sonship, not discipleship.
The lordship of Christ is foundational in Christian discipleship. Yet at the same time, our sanctification is a lifelong process and journey, anchored in our knowledge and intimacy of God.
To love Him is to obey His commands.
John 14:15 – If you love me, you will obey what I command.
John 14:21a – Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.
The love for God goes hand in hand with the obedience to God. The obedience to God that flows from love for Him is pleasing to Him.
Anthony Chia