Loving God is not a side activity of the Christian life—it is the life. From Genesis to Revelation, the heart of Scripture beats with a call to love God with everything we are. Not just with our lips, not just on Sundays, but with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s not about ritual or religion; it’s about relationship. It’s a daily pursuit, a surrender of self, a yearning to know and honor the One who first loved us.
God doesn’t ask for part-time affection. He calls us into a covenant of love that reflects His own faithfulness. This kind of love goes deeper than emotion. It shows up in obedience, sacrifice, and trust. It’s choosing Him above success, comfort, and even our own understanding. To love God is to align with His Word, treasure His presence, and desire His will above all.
When we truly love God, it changes how we live, how we think, how we treat others, and how we endure trials. It becomes the anchor in the storm and the song in our rejoicing. Loving God is not just a command; it’s our greatest privilege and purpose. These 35 Scriptures remind us what loving God really means and why it’s the most important pursuit of all.
Bible Verses About Loving God
1. Matthew 22:37
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
2. Deuteronomy 6:5
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
3. 1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
4. John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commands.
5. 1 Corinthians 8:3
But whoever loves God is known by God.
6. Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.
7. Psalm 18:1
I love you, Lord, my strength.
8. Joshua 22:5
Love the Lord your God, walk in obedience to him, keep his commands, hold fast to him and serve him with all your heart.
9. John 14:21
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.
10. Deuteronomy 10:12
What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God… to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart.
11. Psalm 31:23
Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him.
12. Mark 12:30
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
13. 1 John 5:3
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.
14. Romans 5:5
God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
15. Psalm 145:20
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
16. John 21:17
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
17. 2 Timothy 4:8
The crown of righteousness… will be awarded to all who have longed for his appearing.
18. Revelation 2:4
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.
19. Psalm 97:10
Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones.
20. 1 John 2:5
But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.
21. Deuteronomy 11:1
Love the Lord your God and keep his requirements, his decrees, his laws and his commands always.
22. Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
23. Psalm 63:3
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
24. Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
25. Isaiah 56:6
To love the name of the Lord and to be his servants… all who hold fast to my covenant.
26. Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
27. John 15:10
If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.
28. Psalm 91:14
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him.”
29. Nehemiah 1:5
Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him.
30. Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you… he will rejoice over you with singing.
31. Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
32. Psalm 116:1
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
33. John 17:26
I have made you known to them… so that the love you have for me may be in them.
34. Ephesians 3:17-19
I pray that you… may have power… to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.
35. Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Loving God
Loving God is not about feeling warm toward Him now and then. It’s about a lifestyle of devotion. The Bible paints a powerful picture of what it means to truly love the Lord. It involves obedience, surrender, and trust. It’s choosing Him above all else—even when it costs us. When we love God, we make room for Him in every decision and allow His Word to shape our identity. Love leads to action, and those actions bring us closer to His heart. Even when love grows cold or gets distracted, God calls us back to that first love. He is faithful and patient, longing for our hearts to return to Him. These verses show that to love God is to live in truth, to walk in joy, and to rest in the security of His promises. It’s the kind of love that transforms everything.
Say This Prayer
Lord, I want to love You with all that I am. Help me to love You not just with words, but with my choices, my time, and my heart. Teach me to obey You, to seek You, and to trust You even when I don’t understand. Forgive me for when I’ve put other things above You. Draw me closer to Your presence. Let my love for You grow deeper each day. Help me to return to my first love, and to live a life that reflects Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.