The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return. – Moulin Rouge

Perhaps you’ve heard many a modern preacher say, there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less and there is nothing you can do to make God love you anymore.

I think the above statement is truly perpetuated by people who don’t understand love. In John 14:15 God said, If you love me keep my commandments.

Love is most often reciprocated to those who have love. It’s a natural response. In fact, James 4:8 says, Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

In 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 KJV, God tells us how to become closer to him, Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

If you want to be loved by God, love him. Be separate and touch not the unclean thing, sin not and he will literally accept you as his son or daughter.

Jesus added in Matthew 12:50 KJV, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

In Mark 12:29-30 KJV, Jesus said, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: [30] And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Jesus continues in Mark 12:31 KJV, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

God will love you more, if you do what he asks and continue in righteousness. He will even be your family. However, he will love you less, if you decide not to follow him.