16 November Deuteronomy 6

Love the Lord your God

Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”.

This commandment is the central principle in the Bible. It encapsulates the idea of loving God with the entirety of one’s being, reflecting a deep commitment to Him in every aspect of life.

"With all your heart": In biblical terms, the heart refers to more than just emotions; it encompasses the will, thoughts, and desires. To love God with all your heart means to make Him the centre of your affections, choices, and motivations. It calls for sincerity and loyalty in everything you do. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”.

"With all your soul": The soul refers to one's life or inner being—your essence. Loving God with all your soul suggests offering your entire life and identity to God, being spiritually aligned with Him, and seeking His purpose in every facet of your existence. Psalm 103:1 (NIV) “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name”. Confirmed by Jesus Himself in Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV) “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it”. Jesus teaches that loving God with your soul may require sacrifice and surrendering your desires and life to follow Him fully.

"With all your strength" means dedicating your energy, talents, and efforts to God, doing your best in all circumstances to honour Him. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving”. Paul again confirms this in 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God”.

Together, these phrases emphasise that our love for God should not be partial or divided; it should involve every dimension of our existence; our emotions, spirituality, and physical abilities. This commandment calls for an all-encompassing love, pointing to a life entirely devoted to God in thought, word, and action.

In conclusion, the commandment to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength" calls for a holistic devotion that touches every aspect of our lives. It invites us to make God the central focus of our thoughts, emotions, and decisions, allowing Him to shape our desires and actions. Loving God wholeheartedly means living with sincerity and trust in His guidance. Loving Him with all our souls means offering our entire being and aligning our lives with His purpose. Finally, loving Him with all our strength means using our energy and talents to glorify Him in everything we do. This commandment is not simply a call to affection; it is an invitation to a deep, transformative relationship with God—one that influences our entire way of living, bringing us closer to the life He intends for us. We find true fulfilment, joy, and purpose through our love for Him.