The Greatest Commandment

“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.” This is the reply of the Lord Jesus when a Pharisee who was a lawyer asked him what the greatest commandment was.

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  When I meditate upon these words of the Lord Jesus, I would ask myself, have I been obedient to this commandment?  Do I love  God with all my heart, soul and mind?

Makes me think hard, not only twice or thrice, but many times.  How do I love the Lord with all my heart, with all my soul and with all my mind? 

I always think about my family.  My family of origin -  my parents, my brothers and my sisters.  Even though my parents and one of my brothers have gone ahead, I still think of them.  And I know that one day, when my time on earth is done, I will see them.  I think of my own family, my husband, my two daughters, their husbands and my two grandchildren.  I always pray for protection, provision, guidance and good health for all of them and that they will consistently walk in the paths that God would want them to take. 

Now, how about my love for God?

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” To be honest, this is very difficult to do while living in a world filled with distractions. I am surrounded by things that constantly pull my attention away from God. It is easy to become distracted by what I see around me—materialism, television commercials that promote self-love, and messages that entice people to chase after beautiful possessions like a new car or a luxurious home.

These temptations can quietly draw people away from spiritual priorities, leading them to choose temporary pleasures over eternal treasures. The world constantly whispers that what we have is not enough, breeding discontentment and a hunger for more.

So what should I do to love God with all my heart, soul, and mind?

At this point, I can think of three essential practices that will help me love God as I ought.

1. Be consistent in my prayer life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” This does not mean engaging in uninterrupted verbal prayer, but rather maintaining continual communion with God - living consciously in His presence throughout the day. It means cultivating a prayerful heart, turning to Him in gratitude, dependence, and trust in every circumstance.

2. Read and meditate on the Bible daily.

Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Hiding God’s Word in my heart goes beyond simple memorization. It involves treasuring Scripture, meditating on it deeply, and allowing it to shape my character and guide my actions. When God’s Word fills my heart, it becomes a reservoir of truth that strengthens me against temptation and directs me toward holiness.

3. Maintain an accountability group.

An accountability group within the church provides encouragement, support, and spiritual growth. In such a group, believers meet regularly to share openly, pray together, and challenge one another to remain faithful. Through mutual encouragement and loving correction, we help one another stay grounded in biblical truth and resist sin.

These three practices - prayer, Scripture, and accountability - are essential for nurturing my love for God.

I also realize that I must step out of my comfort zone. It is easy for me to remain at home, reading, writing, and enjoying my time with my family. While these are good things, I must guard against preferring solitude over obedience. I should actively seek opportunities to share my faith and demonstrate God’s love to those I encounter. Simply handing out gospel tracts is not enough. I must be willing to speak, to engage, and to share personally about my faith and God’s transforming love.

Dear God, please give me the courage and boldness to share Your love with everyone I meet.  I know that I am still here on earth because You are not finished with me yet. You have a purpose for my life and work for me to do before You call me home. Help me to live faithfully and wholeheartedly for You. Amen.