Love God, Love Neighbour

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
- Mark 12:28-31

Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength means dedicating every aspect of our being to Him. Jesus, when asked about the greatest commandment, quoted the Shema from Deuteronomy, emphasizing that love for God must be complete and all-encompassing.

The heart represents our affections and desires, meaning our love for God should be supreme, guiding our emotions and priorities. The soul reflects our identity and spiritual devotion, calling us to surrender fully to God and live with an eternal perspective. The mind engages with truth and understanding, encouraging us to seek wisdom, wrestle with faith, and grow in discernment. Finally, our strength signifies our actions—how we serve, obey, and reflect God’s love in our daily lives. True love for God is not passive; it requires intentionality in worship, study, and service.

Loving God naturally leads to loving others, as emphasized in the second greatest commandment: to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our faith is demonstrated in how we treat people, reflecting God’s love through kindness, forgiveness, and service. C.S. Lewis noted that acting in love often leads to genuine love, reinforcing that love is not just a feeling but a practice.

To deepen our love for God, we must regularly reflect on whether we are devoting our whole being to Him—heart, soul, mind, and strength. This commitment transforms our relationships and daily actions, making our lives a testament to God’s love. As we grow in love for Him, we become better equipped to love others, fulfilling His greatest commandments.