We could give many reasons why we should love our Lord, certainly He is certainly worthy of it. We know the Scriptures declare to us just how deep and passionate that love should be (Mark 12:29-31). Can we say individually that we love the Lord with that much intensity? We have a very pivotal command here for every Christian – a command that is at the very heart of Christianity.
“And you shall love the LORD your God.” First notice that this is not a request or an option, it is a command, an imperative. We are to love (Gr. Agapao), the highest form of love. A love which always does the proper and best thing. We are to love God! This would exclude putting anything above God in importance.
- “With all your heart”
- Gr. “Kardia” – the thoughts or feelings -this is loving God with emotion and affection
- How many are afraid to show emotion in their love and worship of the Lord these days
- Emotions are important when it comes to things we participate in as Christians
- Examples: The Lord’s supper – Baptism – Evangelism – visitation – the hurting- etc
- The Bible is filled with Scripture on emotion
- Read: (Psalm 122:1) (Matthew 9:36) (Luke 10:20) (Romans 12:15) (Philippians 4:4)
- “With all your soul”
- This is loving God with our very life
- The Greek word used here is “psuche” – (psoo-khay) – which means – breath – spirit
- It involves the willingness to give over our whole life to the Lord
- Read: (Romans 12:1-2) (Matthew 16:24-25)
- To love God with all of our soul we must be willing to give our whole life over to Him – to devote our whole life to His service – and even be willing to lose it for Him
- “With all your mind”
- Gr. – “Dianoia” (dee-an-oy-ah) – understanding – knowledge – deep thought
- This has to do with the intellect or knowledge – what we know about God
- To love God as we ought to have knowledge of Him – (Acts 17:10-11) (2 Timothy 2:15)
- We can not love God as we ought if we are biblically ignorant
- “With all your strength”
- Gr. “ischus” (is-khoos) – forcefulness – ability – might – power
- This we do by using – our abilities – our money – our resources – our time – etc.
- We must use our talents for the Lord – (Matthew 25:14-30)
- So many talents are never used for the Lord – many talents are never developed