The Signs of the Times, vol. 23

October 28, 1897

“How to Love God” The Signs of the Times, 23, 42.

E. J. Waggoner

“I do not love God, and it does not seem as tho I ever could; how can I learn to love him?” Thus writes an inquiring soul. The only answer is, Get acquainted with God. The trouble with our friend is a lack of acquaintance with God; for “he that loveth not knoweth not God.” 1 John 4:18. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalm 9:10. SITI October 28, 1897, page 2.1

Don’t trouble yourself about “trying to love God.” Love doesn’t come in that way. Love is a spontaneous growth springing from acquaintance with one who is loving and lovable. Get acquainted with God, and you can’t help loving him. The god whom you are trying to love, is not the true God. SITI October 28, 1897, page 2.2

“The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5), and we are taught (Luke 11:13) that God is more ready to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than a parent is to give good things to his children. The Spirit has, indeed, been poured out upon all flesh (Acts 2:16, 17), so the gift of love has been bestowed upon us even before we ask it. Air and water, the first essentials to life, and the freest of the gifts of God, are the best representations of the measureless gift of the Spirit, and so of the infinity of God’s gift of everlasting love. SITI October 28, 1897, page 2.3

“But how can I get acquainted with God?” O, that is not difficult! He is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27), and is very accessible, for he invites everybody to come to him. Through Christ all men, of every class and nation, “have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18. Begin to hold conversations with him. Do not be afraid of intruding, or of putting yourself forward; for when you speak to the Lord, you are only replying to the words that he has already spoken to you. If you consider what he has said to you, you will be at no loss to know what to say to him. You can not expect to love one with whom you are not acquainted; but what is more natural than the growth of love between persons who frequently converse together? SITI October 28, 1897, page 2.4

We get acquainted with God also through his works. “The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:5. All his works praise him. The evidences of his love and loveliness are stamped upon every leaf and flower; they descend with the rain, and flow with the streams; they shine in the sunbeams, and are diffused in the air. “O, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him;” for unto you who believe “he is precious.” E. J. W. SITI October 28, 1897, page 3.1