“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:37-40
What does it mean to love God with everything you are? It’s not about dividing your heart, soul, and mind into separate compartments—it’s about being all in. That’s the kind of abiding relationship Jesus invites us into with Him. An all-in love for God means constant awareness of His presence, regular interaction with Him, and a desire to see what He’s doing so we can join Him in it. This isn’t about religious duty; it’s about a friendship that transforms everything.
Here’s the beautiful truth: we can’t manufacture this kind of love on our own. Until we understand and receive God’s love for us first, we’ll never be capable of loving Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. First John 3:16 reminds us that “we know love by this, that he laid down his life for us.” When Christ died on the cross, He took all our unloving nature and replaced it with His love poured into us by the Holy Spirit. Once you receive Jesus and begin building that friendship with Him, loving God with everything becomes possible. It’s His love in you that enables you to love Him back and then overflow that love to others.
Reflect:
- How would your daily life look different if you were as aware of God’s presence as you are of your phone?
- In what areas of your life are you holding back from being “all in” with God?
- Ask God to increase your love for Him today. Pray that He would help you receive His love more deeply so that you can love Him and others more fully.
