And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
When asked what the greatest commandment in the law was, Jesus responded clearly. He said the first and greatest commandment is to love God with our entire being—heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Each part of us that He mentions represents a different aspect of our existence.
The heart is our emotions. Emotions are not evil; God created them, and we are called to “emote” toward God. Our feelings do not lead us; we use them as tools God has given us.
The soul is our will. It’s the deciding factor for mankind. Our will determines what thoughts become words or actions. The mind includes our thoughts and intellect. It is the part of us that receives information and disseminates it.
Many believers juggle numerous daily responsibilities and have a fragmented relationship with God. They may love Him emotionally but don’t engage their minds or bodies to serve or worship Him. Jesus was calling believers to love God with the totality of their lives. That means evaluating and changing how we allocate our time, energy, and resources.
Are we genuinely prioritizing our relationship with God or allowing other life commitments to overshadow Him? Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is a lifelong journey that requires intentionality and commitment to Him.
Practical Application
Set aside time to pray and study Scripture daily. Read the Bible for understanding, and engage your mind, heart, and spirit with the Word of God daily.