When I was growing up, one of the most famous celebrities alive was Elvis Presley. I loved Elvis Presley. I loved his singing, and a lot of his songs. I watched his movies. I read articles and books about him. I loved Elvis Presley.
But when I think about it—I never saw Elvis Presley, I never talked to him, He never talked to me. I never did anything personal for him. Everything I knew about Elvis Presley came from somewhere else, and not out of a personal experience, or a personal relationship with him.
So when I say that I LOVE Elvis Presley, what kind of love is it? It’s not the same kind of love that I have for my wife, or for my kids.
Our love for someone is affected by how personally we know them. And the same thing is true about God. Our love for God is affected by how personally we know Him.