Understanding the five love languages
There’s a popular book called “The 5 Love Languages” that outlines the five major ways people give and receive love. The five ways are gifts, physical touch, quality time, words of affirmation, and acts of service. While it’s true that all of these ways can communicate love, when it comes to individuals, one of these ways will stand out above the rest. That is the person’s primary love language.
God has a primary love language too
It might surprise you to learn that God has a primary love language. If you want to show God that you love Him, there’s one thing you can do that stands out to Him above the rest. Jesus called attention to it on the night before His crucifixion.
Jesus makes it clear how to love Him
He told His disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments“ John 14.15 ESV. He repeated it a few seconds later: “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me…” John 14.21 ESV.
Then, just in case they didn’t get it, he said it one more time. “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word…” John 14.23 ESV.
Obedience is the love language of God
Over the span of just eight verses, Jesus makes it clear what God’s primary love language really is. He didn’t say, “If you love me, you’ll listen to Christian music.” Nor did He say, “If you love me, you’ll give money to a good cause that you heard about online.” He didn’t even say, “If you love me, you’ll read your Bible and say your prayers.” Those are good things, but they aren’t the most important thing.
According to these verses, God’s primary love language is obedience. Love for God and obedience to Jesus are inseparable. If you want to show God that you love Him, then you have to do what He has commanded you to do.
Obedience unlocks deeper spiritual power
Keeping Jesus’ commandments not only shows God that you love Him, it also opens the way for you to experience the power of the Holy Spirit and the reality of God’s love in your life (John 14.16-18).
Don’t miss the most important thing
If you feel like you’ve been missing out on the abundant, blessed, joyful life that Jesus wants you to experience, it’s possible that you’ve been busy doing good things but ignoring the most important thing. Obedience to Jesus’ commands isn’t optional; it’s central to living the Christian life.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our Student Series books, Walk With God.
