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I. WHAT IS IT TO LOVE GOD? Hereunto is required —

1. Knowing of Him.

2. Our choosing Him as our portion and sovereign good (Deuteronomy 26:17; Psalm 16:5; Psalm 73:26).

3. Our exercising all the acts of love towards Him.

(1)  Good will.

(2)  Desire of union.

(3)  Complacency.

II. HOW ARE WE TO LOVE GOD?

1. With all our hearts (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37).

2. Above all things (Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26).

3. At all times. Because —

(1)  Of the infinite perfections of goodness in Himself.

(2)  Of His infinite expressions of goodness towards us.

III. HOW DOES IT APPEAR TO BE SIN NOT TO LOVE GOD? Because —

1. God has commanded it (Deuteronomy 6:5).

2. We have so many obligations to love Him.

3. The want of this turns everything else to sin.

IV. WHO ARE GUILTY OF THIS SIN?

1. They that acknowledge Him not.

2. That think not of Him (Psalm 119:97).

3. That long not after Him (Psalm 73:25).

4. That rejoice not in Him.

5. That love anything as much or more than Him (Luke 14:26).

6. That love not His (1 John 4:12; 1 John 5:1).

7. That do not endeavour to be reconciled to Him.

8. That do not obey Him (John 14:15).

V. MOTIVES TO LOVE GOD.

1. It is the first and great command (Matthew 22:38).

2. We can perform no duty aright without it (1 Corinthians 13:1).

3. It will make all other duties easy and pleasant.

4. Consider how infinitely God deserves our love for what He is in Himself; and also for what He is to us. He —

(1)  Made us;

(2)  Maintains us;

(3)  Protects us;

(4)  Redeemed us;

(5)  Sanctifies us;

(6)  Prepares heaven for us.

5. If we love God all things shall work together for our good.

(Bp. Beveridge.)

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KJV: But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

WEB: But I know you, that you don't have God's love in yourselves.