Josh Hossler | 10/04/2022
It’s hard to love God because we are selfish. I know that sounds harsh and direct but its true. We don’t naturally seek God, we naturally seek to please ourselves. Even at times when we’re seeking God or seeking to serve others, we’re doing it out of selfish motives or a deep-seated need or desire inside of ourselves.
Add to that, we live in a time and place where we are constantly being told that what we need to do is live to please ourselves. We’re being sent messages like “Be yourself!” Or “Do what feels right/good.” Or “You do you!” They sound nice. It is important to try not to be someone we’re not, but they carry with them a subtle message that we are at the center of the universe or at the very least at the center of our universe.
The truth is, we are not, God is. It is only once we realize that and begin a relationship with Him through Jesus that you and I can truly know who we are. It’s here, in a loving, growing, life-giving relationship with God through Jesus Christ, that we learn to love God and grow in Him.
It’s crucial, but this relationship must begin with repentance of sin and saving faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We place ourselves at the feet of Jesus where He encourages us, convicts us of sin, and gives us His grace where we change and grow.
This relationships MUST be nurtured and nourished like any other relationship. Without time together, there is NO relationship. This time with God is something Christians call Spiritual Disciplines or Personal Devotions.
These regular practices or daily rhythms are both how we grow in our affection for God and how we express our affection to God. They are the key life-source (along with regularly gathering with the body of believers) of any healthy, growing, life-giving relationship with God.
There are many, but here are the basics to get us started (adapted from “Rooted: Connect with God, the Church, and Your Purpose”):
A daily/weekly/regular rhythm of drawing near to God in personal devotion is the key to growing in your love for God and being immersed and convinced of His love for you. (see 1 John 4:19 and Ephesians 3:14-21)
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
God loves you. He wants to spend time with you. If you draw near to Him, He is faithful to draw near to you.
What’s keep you from drawing near to Him? What can you do today to draw near?
Josh Hossler | Lead Pastor
Josh is the founding and Lead Pastor of Evident Church. He is passionate about helping people find their purpose and follow Jesus. Josh enjoys his family, preaching, leadership, writing, and is also is an adjunct professor of philosophy at Rochester University in Rochester Hills, MI. He and his wife Raelyn, have three daughters, AvaRae, AdaLyn, and AnaBel.More from Josh Hossler