Our Deepest Love

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” ~ Matthew 10:37-38 KJV

We might be tempted to think these verses are only about us and our obligations. But they tell us more about God. God’s desire is for us to know Him in Christ, but how can we if our love is focused elsewhere?

We pursue knowledge of that which we love. Those who love literature get academic degrees in it. Those who love gardening read up on techniques. Those who love photography study the art. If we do not love these things, we will not get to know them well. We do not zealously invest in that which does not interest us. Our greatest love shapes all our affections and determines our path.

Isn’t it the same in our relationship with God? Can we really know Him if other loves are greater rivals? His desire is for our single-hearted devotion. This is not the voice of an egocentric god who demands worship. It is the voice of a loving God who knows we will only be fulfilled if He blesses us with Himself.

Consider a God who would ask us to love Him more than our deepest human relationships. He is the same God who commanded us to love others. But He knows that our most subtle idolatries are in making the command of God greater than God Himself. They are subtle because they begin with righteousness and obedience to the law of love, but end in disproportionate affections that dishonour Him. Let us be mindful that if He tests us in these loves, it is only because we were created to know Him intimately.

“To cherish true love for God is to be constrained by love to yield one’s ego with all that it is and has, and to let God be God again.” ~ Abraham Kuyper