The languages of loving God

As I began reading The Five Love Languages I couldn't help but think of my latest blog post. The idea that I am made in the image of God and that my need for love is OKAY because it is from Him and it is like Him.

Love is a basic human need. Research shows that it is absolutely necessary in life.

Gary Chapman is a marriage counselor and has done research to show that we all have five basic languages or ways to communicate love. As my husband (yay) and I were talking last night about our primary love languages I began thinking of our God and how He desires to have love communicated to Him as well.

The five primary love languages are:

Words of Affirmation

Gifts

Acts of Service

Quality Time

Physical Touch

God desires that we express our love to Him with words of affirmation. In fact, everything about Him requires a response of praise. Words of affirmation are just that, verbal praise for who someone is.

“I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised…” 2 Sam 22:4

“Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your name ...” 2 Sam 22:50.

“Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders …” 1Chron 16:9.

“For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods ...” 1 Chron 16:25.

“I will give thanks to the LORD according to His righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High ...” Psalm 7:17.

“I will tell of Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the LORD, praise Him ...” Psalm 22:22-23

When the disciples were asked to stop praising: “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40

Nature worships God with praises of Who He is and what He has done.

“Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him; Worship the LORD in holy array ...” 1 Chron 16:29.

Bringing an offering is showing love to God with gifts… a primary love language in man, and also important to God.

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first-fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10

Not only does God love to be loved with our giving, but also loves to show us He loves us by giving back to us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Acts of service are also an important way to express love to God.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26 

“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” Hebrews 6:10 

“For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” Luke 22:27 

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10-11(KJV) 

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Gal 5:13

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” 1 Pet 4:10

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Josh 22:5

Quality time is the one way we naturally think we should love God; spending time in His Word, spending time in prayer, and spending time in His house.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33

“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Psalm 42:1

“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5

Physical Touch is an incredibly important way for us to show love for one another. This one is rather difficult for us to imagine with God because we cannot actually touch Him. We can however, draw near to Him and He will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Psalm 73:28

“Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty.” Zechariah 1:3