Because of our self-centered nature, love must be learned.  None of us were born by accident.  God created each one of us with a specific purpose.  However, we were given a nature that requires a need for change.  Our old nature was given to help us survive.  Yet, that nature must be trained in order for God’s purpose to be fulfilled.   God requires a new and changed nature in all of us if we are to become a part of His family.  There are also certain requirements that must be met.

Jewish religious leaders had become so involved in their culture, sacrifices, traditions and rules that they failed to love God or others.  So a Religious leader asked Jesus, of the 613 Jewish laws what was the most important.

Luke 10:27 – Christ answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.”

Deuteronomy 6:5 – 7 – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The religious leader understood that the law required total devotion to God and to love one’s neighbor.

We realize that Jesus was saying, it isn’t the laws or obedience that matter.  It is our love and relationship with God and others.  If we loved God and others with an unselfish love, the laws would not matter.  However, most people have never really learned how to love unconditionally and that includes Christians.

Chances are if a Christian has never learned to surrender their self-centered nature, they have never really learned to love the way God loves us.  Particularly men who believe being macho, love is not an attractive attribute.  Love for many is selfish and is given to get what they desire.  It is possible to be so self-centered that we never learn to love others.  We may say the right things, be kind and gentle but only doing so that we might be acceptable.

We were created to have a loving relationship with God and others.  Everyone has within them a need to be loved and most do everything they can to fulfill that longing.  Many became Christians because they did not want to go to Hell.  If this is you, you may be missing out on what God has reserved for you.  In fact, you could possibly find that not knowing how to love as God loves us is what may be causing your struggles as a Christian.

God promises us that if we love Him and keep His commandments He will be with us at all times.  He tells us that He will meet our needs.  He also states that He will answer our prayers.  We know He will forgive our sins.  He promises to give us fruits of the Spirit to make our lives easier.  He will give us gifts to equip us to have a productive life.  With His Spirit we can make right and moral decisions.  Christ tells us He has gone to Heaven to prepare a place for us.  Would we not want to love someone capable of providing these kinds of promises to each one of us?

If you truly know what unconditional love is like you will want to obey Him.  Would you not want to serve Him and share Him with others?  Love develops a trust and a desire to fellowship through worship.  How could I not support Him with my tithes and time?  Someone you love you want to know more about.  This is why I study His Word to have a better understanding and serve Him better.  Therefore, I have learned to forgive others, control my anger and stop my sinning because I know it will please Him.

You may have a problem that you do not feel worthy to receive God’s love or blessings from Him.   Where did that thought come from?  Recognize you have a battle going on consistently in your mind trying to persuade you into making choices.  A believer must call on the Holy Spirit to run interference for them.  Knowing God has a plan for you, don’t be satisfied with anything less than what you dream you could be or do.  It is highly possible that dream came from God; and it is a blessing that God is waiting to provide, if you are obediently living according to His Will and have the faith to believe He will do it.  However, if you have never learned to love unconditionally and have not sensed or felt God’s love for you, you are missing so much.  It may be difficult to give love to God and others if you have never discovered God’s love for you.  It may be something you must pray for daily until you feel it and know you have it.

Colossians 3:1 – 5 “ Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.  So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Once you learn how to love unconditionally your whole life will change.  The blessings you may have been missing might just start showing up.  God’s love for you is such that He wants to continually bless you.  Do you think if you pray for the ability to love, that the Holy Spirit won’t teach and inspire you to love?   Pray for God’s love and see what happens in your life.