Matthew 22:36–40 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
The great commandment is to love God with all your heart—with your whole being. To be madly in love means that everything you do revolves around that person.
Loving God with all your soul also means engaging your mind and intellect. The totality of who you areww2—your thoughts, feelings, and entire life—should be devoted to loving God completely.
If Jesus instructs us to love with everything we have, that carries significant meaning. It’s one thing to love, but it’s entirely another to love with every part of yourself.
The essence of the law, as well as the teachings of the prophets in the Old Testament, is to love the Lord with everything. This idea is summarized in the two greatest commandments.
But what does it mean in practice? How do you love God with everything?
God uses marriage—and the relationship between Christ and the church—as a picture of what it means to love Him with your soul, heart, and mind. In Ephesians 5:28–29 and 5:31, we see a picture of Christ’s love for the church. Unlike earthly marriage, which is limited, our union with Christ has a far greater value. It is not a matter of a bride price but of life for life; Christ paid the ultimate price by giving His life for you and me.
In physical marriage, two individuals become one flesh. In Christ, however, those who are joined to the Lord become one spirit. While physical marriage ends with death, our union with Christ is eternal—continuing even after our earthly lives because we belong to the Lord. Moreover, God’s love is everlasting and consistent.
After uniting with Christ, how should we love Him? He clearly explains His desire for our love. What is God’s love language? It is to love Him with your entire being—not just a part of you, but all of you.
In 2 Corinthians 5:14 we learn that God’s love compels us to live our lives for the Lord. He will never ask you to do something for which He has not already provided the ability. Romans 5:8 and Philippians 4:13 further remind us that God’s love empowers us to overcome any obstacle.
God grants us the grace to love fully. His love is complete, total, and unconditional—and He desires that we love Him in the same way.
The starting point of this love is the heart—it is where our love for God originates. Just as marriage vows commit you to choose your spouse above all else, being born again means you choose God first. When love springs from the heart, it influences every aspect of your life.
Romans 8:35–39 shows that Paul loved God with all his mind, soul, and heart—even in the face of persecution and death. That unwavering commitment is why Paul and Peter could face martyrdom: they loved God as completely as He loved them. Our commitment to Him must be just as complete and consistent.
The love of God overcomes all obstacles, and those who love Him with all their heart can withstand the test of time. Our union with Christ reflects this same unwavering commitment—we choose God first, and that is our highest priority, coming straight from the heart.
Of course, each person’s expression of love may differ. In Luke 14:26, Christ reminds us that He must come first; every other relationship is secondary. When you rank your priorities, God must be at the very top.
Even when prayers seem unanswered, our love for Him should remain steadfast. The greatest display of love is seen in someone who, despite facing hardships, still stands strong in Christ.
Ultimately, God’s desire is for us to continually return to this truth—to renew our vows and our commitment to Him. Reflect on what occupies your thoughts most, and let your desire always be directed toward Him.
