Embracing the Great Commandment: Loving God with Our Entire Being
> The call to love God with all one’s heart, soul, and mind is a foundational principle of the Christian faith, encapsulating the essence of what it means to be in a relationship with the Creator. This commandment, often referred to as the Great Commandment, serves as the bedrock upon which all other commandments and principles are built. Understanding and practicing this love is a lifelong journey that transforms believers and shapes their interactions with God and the world around them.
The Great Commandment:
The Great Commandment is a summation of the law and the prophets, as Jesus Christ affirmed in Matthew 22:37-38 and Mark 12:30, echoing Deuteronomy 6:5. It is a comprehensive command to love God not in part or in pieces, but wholly and unreservedly. This love is not to be fragmented but integrated, engaging every aspect of our being—emotional, spiritual, and intellectual.
The Holistic Nature of Love for God:
To love God with all one’s heart is to have an affection for God that surpasses all others. It is an emotional and volitional commitment that prioritizes God’s will and desires above our own. The heart, in biblical terms, is often seen as the seat of motivation; thus, to love God with all our heart means that our actions are driven by our devotion to Him.
Loving God with all one’s soul speaks to the depth of our relationship with God. The soul represents one’s entire being and life. It is loving God with one’s essence, with every breath and every moment of existence. It is a love that is lived out in the day-to-day experiences and choices we make.
To love God with all one’s mind involves the intellect and thought life. It means dedicating our thoughts, our plans, and our education to know God more and to align our thinking with His. This intellectual love seeks understanding and wisdom and is passionate about the truths of God.
Practical Expressions of That Love:
Practical expressions of loving God holistically can be seen in various aspects of life. It involves regular spiritual disciplines such as prayer, meditation on Scripture, fasting, and worship. These practices deepen our relationship with God and align our hearts, souls, and minds with His purposes.
Service and obedience are also practical outworkings of this love. When we love God, we are compelled to serve others and to live out His commandments. Our love for God is authenticated by our willingness to act upon His Word and to embody His love in our interactions with others.
Moreover, loving God with all we are means being stewards of all He has given us—our time, talents, and treasures. It means using these resources in a way that honors Him and furthers His kingdom.
Relevant Scripture:
Matthew 22:37-38 and Mark 12:30 reiterate the command found in Deuteronomy 6:5, calling believers to a total love for God that encompasses every aspect of their being. This scriptural mandate is not only a duty but a response to the love that God has already shown us through His grace and mercy.
Advice from A.W. Tozer:
A.W. Tozer, in his classic work “The Pursuit of God,” challenges believers to not settle for a shallow faith but to strive for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. He advocates for spiritual disciplines as a means to draw closer to God, emphasizing the importance of constant communion with Him through prayer and the reading of Scripture. Tozer encourages a heartfelt desire to know God more intimately, suggesting that as we seek Him earnestly, our love for Him will grow more holistic and all-encompassing.
Conclusion:
To love God with all our heart, soul, and mind is to engage in a profound and comprehensive relationship with our Creator. It is a love that is active, intentional, and all-encompassing, affecting every aspect of our lives. As we commit to this Great Commandment, we find that our affections, our very being, and our thoughts become increasingly aligned with God’s will. Through the practical outworking of this love, in obedience, service, and spiritual discipline, we not only fulfill our highest calling but also reflect the very heart of God to a world in need of His love.
