11/24

So the Bible teaches us that knowing God is part belief, but not only belief. Another part of knowing God is our affections. Do we love him. Is he the object of our mind only or of our heart as well? Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Let's consider for a moment those in the Bible who not only believe in God, but loved him with all their heart and life.

David is considered a man after God's own heart. God chose him to be king over all of Israel. He had a lot of responsibilities. Not only that, but during his life he was on the run. He fought against the Philistines, he fought for the Philistines. Saul tried to kill him, Saul's son tried to kill him. His own son Absalom attempted to usurp his throne. The grass did not grow under his feet too long before he had to run again. But in all this, David's affections were turned towards the Lord. Look to the Psalms

Psalm 9:1-4. Psalm 14:1. Psalm 16:1-2. Psalm 23. This is just a taste of what is in there. David loved God with everything in him.


Paul the Apostle. He was beaten up, arrested, and jailed on how many account, the Lord only knows. He traveled across eastern Europe preaching the gospel. But look where his affections lie.

2 Corinthians 5:12,14-15. The love of Christ controls us. And because he loves God with all his heart, he loves and cares for God's people as well. 2 Corinthians 2:4. And Paul is not just affectionate towards those he knows, his friends. He loves the new people in his life, 1 Thessalonians 2:8.

If you read through all of Paul's letters, you see that all his emotions and affections are tied to 1) God and 2) the church.

Paul's religion consisted of many affections and emotions.


We will rest on these two examples.