Why does God command us to love Him?

God commands us to love Him not merely as a duty but as a natural response to the love He has first shown us. In 1 John 4:19, we learn that our love is rooted in His initiating love. This divine command serves to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him, where love is not transactional but relational. It also underscores the relational nature of God; He desires a personal connection with His creation. Loving God is thus a reflection of our understanding of His grace and mercy, which compels us to respond out of gratitude and adoration.