Why should we love God more than anything else?
If we love God more than anything else in this world, we would be in such a state so as to love everyone in the best possible manner. Because God is love and the source of all good things, when we prioritise God above everything else in our lives, we would be the epitome of love when dealing with our parents, children, wives, husbands, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbours, strangers or anyone else for that matter.
When we place God first in our lives, we tend to overflow with His agape (selfless) love, and would transfer that love to others.
Husband and wife.
When we love God more than our spouse, something magical happens in that relationship because God expects us to love our spouse unconditionally. It should not be based on what’s in it for me.
The Scripture says in Ephesians 5:25: “For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.”
Kivor’s and Semakova’s marriage was on the rocks and he was contemplating a divorce. He used to take the longest route to reach home after work so that he did not have to spend much time with his wife before going to bed. Providentially for him a chance meeting with a childhood “born again Christian” friend changed his life for the best. Kivor shared with his old mate, the issues with his marriage and how he was planning to get a divorce etc. His mate shared the Gospel with him , invited him for Bible studies and asked him to re-consider the whole issue through the eyes of a “born again Christian”. Kivor confessed that he could see the whole thing now from a Christ driven perspective. He started loving his wife Semakova unconditionally and seeing the change in her husband she wanted to reciprocate and be his true better-half. They both became regular attendees of the bible studies and even started helping others with similar issues.
Parents to children.
When we put God first in our lives, as parents we would be equipped to love our children in the best way possible ie. we would be able to bring up children that are useful to God and man. They would be a blessing to everyone they come in contact with.
The scripture says in Proverbs 13:24- Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
Proverbs 22:6 -Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
There is no harm in reprimanding our children when they do something wrong. Eventually, we want our children to grow up as gentlemen and fine ladies. If we don’t punish our children when needed, instead support them in anything and everything they do or believe in, in reality we don’t love them but are paving the path for their destruction.
Neighbours and strangers.
When we prioritise God more than anything else in our lives, spontaneously we would be able to love our neighbours as ourselves. A neighbour is not just our next door neighbour but anyone we come in contact with.
The scripture says in Matthew 22:36-39 , when a Pharisee asked Jesus about the greatest commandment.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’
In the parable of the “good Samaritan” Jesus explains how an “outsider” saved a man’s life. When we put God above all things, we would see a stranger as someone for whom Jesus paid the price on the cross for salvation. Therefore, there will not be any boundaries for our love and compassion to fellow human beings.
Children to parents.
When we love God above all things, as children we would be able to love our parents in the most unsurpassed way. This is because when we love God we tend to obey everything He commands us to do. This is supported by the scripture in the following verses.
Colossians 3:20 -Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Exodus 20:12 – Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Work place.
Placing God above all things in our lives would make us more responsible and accountable to the job we have been given. Going that extra mile without agitation would become second nature to us. Our work ethic would become our brand ie. something that people would speak behind our back. There would be a pronounced cordial relationship with colleagues, better superior–subordinate relationships and the organisation in-turn would become an establishment par excellence!
Colossians 3:23-24 says, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Romans 13:1 says, Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Based on all the above points it won’t be an exaggeration to say that if we love God more than anything else in our lives, we would also help in creating a society free of any kinds of evil or crimes.