“And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ And He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?’ And he answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.’ And He said to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.'” (Luke 10:25-28)

The question of eternal life is not just a theological puzzle, but a doorway into the deepest longings of the human soul. In this familiar scene, Jesus meets a religious expert who knows the Scriptures well. Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus points him back to the heart of the Law: love for God and love for neighbor. True faith, Jesus shows, is not just intellectual assent or religious performance, but a total devotion to God that changes how we relate to everyone around us. The command to love God with all our being is radical—it invites us to surrender every part of our life to Him.

Yet, Jesus’ response also probes deeper: “Do this and you will live.” It’s not enough to know the right answer; the real test is in living it out. The story challenges us to examine whether our love for God is whole-hearted or partial, and whether we see our neighbors as worthy of our love and compassion. In our modern world, it’s easy to shrink our circle of concern to those who are like us or those we find convenient to love. But Jesus’ definition of neighbor is not limited by proximity, similarity, or comfort. Instead, He calls us to a broad, costly, and practical love that mirrors God’s own love for us.

Today, consider what it means to “do” this command, not just to know it. How does your love for God overflow into tangible acts toward others? Are there people in your life whom you have overlooked as neighbors? Do you see loving God and loving people as inseparable parts of true discipleship? What would change in your daily routine if you took Jesus at His word?

• How does your love for God show up in the way you treat the people around you?
• Are there specific people you find hard to consider as your “neighbor”? Why?
• Pray for a renewed devotion to Him and a willingness to see and love your neighbors as He does.