“One of the scribes came up and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; and you shall 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: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31 NASB
What does it mean to love God?
- I daily give Him the whole of my life
“…to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 NASB
- I daily seek to do His will with my life
“This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you.” John 15:11-14 MSG
“Now why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46 NASB
How do I love God?
- I need to know that I am loved by the Father
“We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 NKJV
- I need to Abide in Jesus and Walk in the Spirit
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 NASB 95 (See also Galatians 5:16, 22-23)
- I need to Practice integrated discipleship
Head: Loving God with your mind
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT
Heart: Loving God with your heart and soul
“…be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-20 NLT
Hands: Loving God with all your strength by loving your neighbor
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Romans 12:11 NIV 1984