How to Love God More

We love because he first loved us. 1 JOHN 4:19 When you see more of God’s love for you, then you will love Him more. Bishop Ryle told a story about an Englishman traveling in America. During his travels, he met an American Indian who talked with great enthusiasm about Jesus Christ… The Englishman is rather reserved, as they tend to be, and so he says to his new friend, “You are always talking about Jesus Christ. Why do you make such a big deal of him?” The Indian knelt down and gathered some leaves, some twigs, and some moss and placed them in a circle on the ground. He picked up a live worm and put it in the middle of the circle. Then he lit the leaves. As the flames rose, the worm began to move, but every way it moved, it got nearer to the flame, and so after a few moments, the worm curled up in the middle and prepared to die. The Indian reached his hand into the flame, picked up the worm, and held it next to his heart. Then he said, “I was the worm—helpless, hopeless and on the brink of an eternal fire. Jesus Christ stretched out his hand. He saved me from the fire and took me into the heart of his love. That is why I make much of him.” As the old hymn says, loving God is learned at the cross… When I survey the wondrous cross On which the prince of glory died My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride. Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were an offering far too small Love so amazing so divine Demands my soul, my life, my all. Ask God to help you see more of His love for you. Written by Colin SmithRead by Sue McLeish www.openthebible.org.uk