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Cultivating a Deeper Love for God's Law in Daily Life

Cultivating a deeper love for God's law in daily life is presented in scripture as a fundamental aspect of faith, intrinsically linked to loving God himself. Deuteronomy 30:16 commands the people to "love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your God may bless you" [1]. This connection between love for God and obedience to his law is a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative [3, 5].

The law of God is described in various ways within scripture, emphasizing its divine origin and character. It is characterized as pure, spiritual, holy, just, good, exceedingly broad, perfect, and truth [4]. It is not considered grievous [4]. This law was given to Adam, Noah, and the Israelites through Moses, and even through the ministration of angels [4]. The expectation is that this law requires obedience of the heart, not merely outward conformity [4].

A key aspect of cultivating this love involves understanding. Psalm 119:34 expresses a plea: "Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart" [2]. This suggests that a deeper comprehension of God's law is essential for heartfelt obedience. John Gill, in his commentary on Psalm 119:32, elaborates that this understanding is a "spiritual understanding" of the law's perfection, purity, holiness, and spirituality, as well as an understanding of the Gospel and Christ, from whom grace and strength for obedience are derived [15]. This understanding is considered a gift of grace [15].

The New Testament further develops the concept of God's law, particularly through the lens of love. Jesus himself identified loving God with all one's heart as the first great commandment [3]. The apostle Paul, in Galatians, emphasizes that "the whole law can be summed up (or the whole law is fulfilled)" by exercising love toward one's neighbor [8]. This echoes the Old Testament command in Leviticus 19:18 and is further supported by Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:27-36, and John 13:34-35 [8]. The concept of "the law of Christ" is understood as loving one another and carrying each other's burdens [9, 14]. This love is not merely an emotional sentiment but an active principle that fulfills the law [14].

For Christians, salvation is understood to result in godliness, which includes obedience to God's law [7]. This obedience is not a means to earn salvation but a consequence of it [7]. Those who seek righteousness through the law are expected to obey every regulation of it [12]. However, Gentile Christians are considered children of Abraham not by keeping the law of Moses, but by faith in God [11]. This faith brings the blessing promised to Abraham, which is equated with receiving the Holy Spirit [13].

Cultivating a deeper love for God's law also involves internalizing and treasuring it. Isaiah 51:7 speaks of cherishing God's law in one's heart, going beyond mere knowledge to internalize, treasure, and obey it [16]. This internalization is a continuous process, requiring diligence in seeking God, obeying him, and hearkening to him [6]. It also involves striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, guarding against defilement, and seeking to be found spotless [6].

The role of the Holy Spirit is crucial in this process. Love for God is described as being "produced by The Holy Spirit" [3]. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Jude 1:21, suggests that keeping oneself in the love of God is achieved by "building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost" [17]. This implies that the Holy Spirit empowers believers to maintain their love for God and, consequently, their adherence to his law.

The concept of "one law" for both Israelites and sojourners, as mentioned in Numbers 15:15, suggests a universal applicability of God's moral principles [10]. John Gill interprets this as having a "distant view to the calling of the Gentiles in Gospel times, when there should be no difference between Jews and Gentiles called by grace in matters of religion, but would be one in Christ" [10]. This highlights the enduring nature of God's law as a guide for all who seek to follow him.

Sources

  1. Deuteronomy “For I command you this day to love Yahweh your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Yahweh your God may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it. -- Deuteronomy 30:16”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 119:34 (NASB) — Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law And keep it with all my heart.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Law of God, The — Is absolute and perpetual -- Mt 5:18. Given To Adam. -- Ge 2:16,17; Ro 5:12-14. To Noah. -- Ge 9:6. To the Israelites. -- Ex 20:2-17; Ps 78:5. Through Moses. -- Ex 31:18; Joh 7:19. Through the ministration of angels. -- Ac 7:53; Ga 3:19; Heb 2:2. Described as Pure. -- Ps 19:8. Spiritual. -- Ro 7:14. Holy, just, and good. -- Ro 7:12. Exceeding broad. -- Ps 119:96. Perfect. -- Ps 19:7; Ro 12:2. Truth. -- Ps 119:142. Not grievous. -- 1Jo 5:3. Requires obedience of the heart -- Ps 51:6; Mt 5:28; 22:37. Requires perfect obedience -- De 27:26; Ga 3:10; Ja”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  7. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:17: 3:17 Paul makes it clear that salvation (3:15) results in godliness (see Gal 1:4; 5:16-26; Eph 2:8-10).”
  8. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:14: 5:14 the whole law can be summed up (or the whole law is fulfilled): Christ’s followers fulfill the law by exercising love toward every neighbor (Lev 19:18; see Matt 7:12; Luke 6:27-36; 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; 15:9-17; Rom 13:8-10).”
  9. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 6:2: 6:2 Carrying each other’s burdens (6:1) fulfills the law of Christ to love one another (5:13-14; see also Lev 19:18; Matt 22:36-40; John 13:34; 15:12; 1 Jn 3:23).”
  10. Numbers (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Numbers 15:15: One law, and one manner,.... One law respecting these sacrifices, and one manner of offering them; one and the same precept to be observed, and one and the same judgment or punishment inflicted in case of non-observance: shall be for you, and the stranger that sojourneth with you; for Israelites and proselytes; which is said to invite and encourage the latter, and may have a distant view to the calling of the Gentiles in Gospel times, when there should be no difference between Jews and Gentiles called by grace in matters of religion, but would be one in Christ, Ga”
  11. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:7: 3:7 Gentile Christians—including the Galatians—are among the real children of Abraham, not by keeping the law of Moses, but by faith in God (see Rom 4:9-17, 23-25; cp. Matt 12:48-50).”
  12. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:3: 5:3 Those who seek righteousness through the law must obey every regulation of it (see 2:15-16; cp. Jas 2:10).”
  13. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:14: 3:14 Christ Jesus has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing . . . promised to Abraham, as described in 3:6-13. Paul equates this blessing with receiving the promised Holy Spirit (3:2-6; see also Rom 8:1-17, 23; Eph 1:13-14).”
  14. Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 5:14: all the law--Greek, "the whole law," namely, the Mosaic law. Love to God is presupposed as the root from which love to our neighbor springs; and it is in this tense the latter precept (so "word" means here) is said to be the fulfilling of "all the law" (Lev 19:18). Love is "the law of Christ" (Gal 6:2; Mat 7:12; Mat 22:39-40; Rom 13:9-10). is fulfilled--Not as received text "is being fulfilled," but as the oldest manuscripts read, "has been fulfilled"; and so "receives its full perfection," as rudimentary teachings are fulfilled by the more perfec”
  15. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:32: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law,.... A spiritual understanding; an understanding of the law, the perfection, purity, holiness, and spirituality of it; an understanding of the Gospel, and of Christ and the things of Christ; from whom grace and strength are to be had for the due observance of the law, as in his hands; which understanding must be given, and is a gift of pure, free, rich grace, to such who have it; though they cannot keep the law perfectly, as no mere man can, yet will keep it spiritually, from a principle of love and gratitude, and with”
  16. Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 51:7: 51:7 cherish my law in your hearts: Beyond simply knowing God’s word, the Lord desires for his people to internalize, treasure, and obey it (see also Ps 37:31; Jer 31:33). • Those who obey the Lord often endure scorn and insults (see also Matt 5:10-12).”
  17. Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord - For although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.”
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