Articles
The Great Commands (part 2)
As we continue our study of Matthew 22:34-40, consider the first and greatest command:
Love the Lord Your God
Notice that this is an order, not an option. It is the kind of love that does not depend on mere sentiment for its power. It is a motive to action, fundamental to everything God’s people are to do. It is the perpetual, self-sacrificing devotion to our Creator. In what ways is this love expressed?
• “With all your heart” – The Biblical concept of the heart concerns the basis and center of our personality. It is our essence. Because God is one who looks intently at the heart of people, rather than the exterior and superficial (1 Samuel 16:7), it is that component of our “self” that is most fundamental. If the heart is devoted to God, everything else will naturally follow (bodies, finances, time, etc.). When Christians complain about a lack of zeal for God, or that their relationship seems to be suffering, the first question I ask is, “Have you loved God with all your heart yet?” Romans 10:10 clearly states that it is in my heart that belief is fully realized, unto righteousness. So wherever my heart goes, the rest of me will follow.
• “With all your soul” – The word soul is often used in the Bible to describe someone’s spiritual being (John 12:27, Matthew 10:28). This means that when we love God with our “soul”, we are giving ourselves over to Him in total obedience, to our core.
• “With all your mind” – Loving God with our intellect and reason, or our understanding involves various things. First, our devotion is based on evidence that is reasonably evaluated, scriptures that are thought-provoking, and a logical assent to the will of God. We are to use our critical faculties to study and learn everything we can about God and His will. This is not to say that Christianity is a religion of intellectual snobbery or elitism, for the message is “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18ff). But if we are not using our minds in the service of God, we are wasting one of our greatest assets. Even in our worship, our thoughts are as important as our feelings (1 Corinthians 14:15).
• “With all your strength” – This is included in Mark’s version of the story, and deserves mention in this article. This refers to both our physical strength and the spiritual vitality of our inner man. In short, to our character, our energy, and our command of the environment around us. God’s people are to be strong in will and purpose, not timid or acquiescing to the ways of the world (1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Timothy 1:7, Ephesians 6:10).
Next week we will conclude this series of articles by considering the second greatest command...
