The Greatest Commandment-Loving God with All That We Are. Matthew 22:37
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say good morning to your brothers and sisters.
The Greatest Commandment – Loving God with All That We Are
Turn in your Bibles to Matthew 22:37 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
_"Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’"_
What Does It Mean to Truly Love God?
Today, we’ll reflect on a verse that is both familiar and foundational to our faith. When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, His response was not about rituals or sacrifices. Instead,
He pointed to love—the deepest kind of love.
This commandment calls us to a relationship so rich and so consuming that it changes every part of who we are.
But what does it really mean to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind?
How do we live this out in a world filled with distractions and challenges?
Let’s explore this commandment together.
1. Love God with All Your Heart: Affections and Desires
The heart in Scripture often represents our emotions, passions, and devotion. To love God with all your heart means He is the center of your affections—the One you treasure most.
What Does This Look Like?
- When you wake up, is He the first thought on your mind?
- Do you long to spend time with Him in prayer and worship?
- Is your love for Him evident in your actions, especially in how you treat others?
King David was described as a man after God’s own heart. He loved God with passion and fervor, writing, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1). David’s life was far from perfect, but his love for God was genuine and all-encompassing.
1. Set aside daily time for worship and thanksgiving.
2. Guard your heart against idols—anything that takes God’s place in your affections.
3. Examine your priorities: Are you giving God the best of your time, energy, and focus?
2. Love God with All Your Soul: Surrender and Identity
The soul represents the core of who you are—your will, emotions, and spiritual connection. To love God with all your soul means surrendering every part of your life to Him. It’s about aligning your identity with His purpose for you.
What Does This Look Like?
- Loving God with your soul means trusting Him in times of uncertainty and obeying His commands even when it’s hard.
- It involves choosing His ways over your desires and making Him the anchor of your identity.
Jesus Himself showed us what it means to love God with all the soul. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). His ultimate surrender was an act of love and obedience to the Father.
1. Surrender your dreams, ambitions, and fears to God.
2. Spend intentional time in His presence, allowing Him to shape your identity.
3. Participate in spiritual practices like fasting and worship that draw your soul closer to Him.
3. Love God with All Your Mind: Understanding and Thought Life
The mind encompasses your thoughts, intellect, and beliefs. To love God with all your mind means actively filling it with His truth and aligning your thinking with His Word.
What Does This Look Like?
- Loving God with your mind means rejecting the lies of the enemy and the world.
- It means thinking deeply about God’s character, studying His Word, and making Him the foundation of your worldview.
Paul challenges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). A renewed mind allows us to love God fully and discern His will.
1. Make Bible study a daily habit, not just for knowledge but for transformation.
2. Practice taking every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
3. Engage in conversations and activities that honor God and deepen your understanding of Him.
Loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind is not just a one-time decision—it’s a daily journey. As you go into this week, let your life reflect this love. Let it guide your relationships, your decisions, and your worship.
Let me share a story about a man named Joshua. Joshua grew up in a tough neighborhood where gang violence and hopelessness seemed to dominate every corner. By the time he was 17, he had been arrested multiple times and felt like his life was going nowhere.
One day, while sitting in a juvenile detention center, a volunteer chaplain visited and shared about God’s love. The chaplain told Joshua about Matthew 22:37, saying, “No matter where you’ve been or what you’ve done, God calls you to love Him with your heart, soul, and mind. When you give Him everything, He can change everything.”
At first, Joshua resisted. How could he love God with his whole being when his heart was filled with pain, his soul felt lost, and his mind was clouded by doubt? But one night, alone in his cell, Joshua knelt and prayed:
"God, if You’re real, take my life and make it Yours. I want to love You, but I don’t even know how. Help me."
That prayer became the turning point of his life. Over the next few months, Joshua began reading the Bible. He started with the Gospel of John, learning about Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Slowly, his heart softened. He surrendered his anger, fears, and guilt to God.
Today, Joshua is a pastor in that same neighborhood, sharing the love of Christ with people who are in the same place he once was. He often says, “God didn’t just change my circumstances—He changed me from the inside out. Loving Him with my whole heart, soul, and mind has given me a new purpose and a joy I never thought I’d have.”
Joshua’s story reminds us that no matter where we start, God’s love can transform us. When we choose to love Him fully, He meets us right where we are and leads us into a life of purpose and fulfillment.
Maybe you feel like Joshua did—like you’re too far gone, or you don’t know how to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. But just like Joshua learned, God doesn’t ask for perfection; He asks for surrender. When you take the first step, God will meet you with grace and guide you every step of the way.
Now that we’ve explored what it means to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, it’s time to ask some hard questions:
- Is God truly first in your life, or have other things taken priority?
- Are there areas of your life where you’re holding back from fully surrendering to Him?
- Do your thoughts and desires reflect a love for God?
Jesus doesn’t ask for part of our love—He asks for all of it. He gave His all for us on the cross, and our response should be nothing less.
If you’ve never experienced the life-transforming love of Jesus, today is the day to say yes to Him. And if you feel distant from God or realize there are areas of your life you need to surrender, this is your moment to renew your commitment.
For those who have never given their life to Christ, come forward and make Him your Savior and Lord.
For believers who want to love God more fully, come forward as a step of surrender.
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging my need for You. I confess my sins and turn to You as my Savior and Lord. Help me to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide me in Your truth. Amen.”
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your incredible love for us—a love so deep and wide that You gave Your Son to save us. Teach us to love You with all that we are. Transform our hearts, align our souls with Your will, and renew our minds daily. Help us to live as a people wholly devoted to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
So, as we reflect on today’s message, remember this: Loving God is the key to experiencing His transformative power. No matter your past, He can write a new story with your life. Will you let Him?
