Chapter 01: Must I Love God?
To start, first download Chapter 1. (You can right-click on the link and select “save to disk” or “open” to view it)Next, start posting your feedback below!
Reading through the chapter.
While you are reading through the introduction, the short intro to Part I, and the first chapter, please jot down or type up your insights and/or suggestions. Here are some of my own reflections and/or questions to start out with. Yours don’t have to be in the same category as mine. Write whatever reflections you might have had!
Reading Through Chapter 1
Last modified on 2008-03-13 15:30:11 GMT. 2 comments. Top.
I would summarize this chapter by noting that the command to love God most is:
• For our good—because it brings us to the height of the human experience
• The very reason God made us, because He wants to have a relationship with us based on love.
• A commandment, not an option
• The summary of all the law and the prophets
• The true test of a hypocrite: those who try to keep the law yet break the greatest commandment do not really follow God
• An impossible law that we cannot keep without God’s help
• A direct result of divine motivation—i.e., God made us to love Him just because He wanted to.
What are some things that stood out to you as you read this chapter? Do you have any suggestions?
Chapter 1-Application
Last modified on 2008-03-11 20:50:28 GMT. 4 comments. Top.
As I re-read chapter 1 today, I realized that I take the duty of loving God way too lightly. Do you find the same problem in your own life? How can we take it more seriously that we were commanded to spend our lives pursuing a relationship with God?
Let’s discuss this…
Last modified on 2008-03-13 15:25:00 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
Why is it hypocritical to keep the lesser commandments in action but break the first commandment by not loving God?
Let’s discuss this…
Last modified on 2008-03-13 15:26:37 GMT. 1 comment. Top.
How does the first and great commandment come as a constraint to motivate us to keep the others?
Chapter 1: Another application
Last modified on 2008-03-13 15:28:30 GMT. 5 comments. Top.
Have you ever made a conscious decision to make loving God the first priority of your life (before reading this book)?
Please let me know so I can gauge where my readership is coming from and if I’m speaking to a need or just “preaching to the choir”!
I really enjoyed the Introduction! It was very logical and well-written. I don’t think I’ve ever read such a systematic explanation of why our relationship to Christ is the most important. Thanks!
I have a comment — to me, one of the really neat things about seeking God FIRST and trying to love Him BEST is that the good works you mentioned follow. We can drain ourselves trying to evangilize and follow Christ on our own willpower, OR we can seek HIM –and He will give us the desire and ability to minister to and influence others for Him.
I liked your statement in Chapter 1, “The greatest human happiness always comes at the discovery of what makes GOD happiest.” I have always found that when I follow God’s plan laid out in His Word, even if at first I don’t understand or like it, I find that it is the most wonderful, fulfilling, blessed thing.
Thank you for taking the time to write this book!
Thank you for taking time to read the book! I’m so glad that it’s speaking to you.
I was convicted by your insight on draining ourselves and trying to DO things on sheer willpower vs. seeking Him and allowing His love to give us the desire and ability to minister. Jedidiah and I have been noting how the Lord uses us most, when we are broken and have really given up in our own strength.
It is such a wonderful thing to stand back and watch God do the work, through his weak servant-and then to hear Him say it was a partnership! (1 Cor. 3:9)