When it comes to the Christian life, there’s Someone you should be madly in love with. No, it’s not your spouse. It’s not your children or grandchildren. It’s fine to love all of these people, but there’s one Person that you should love above them all, and that is God Himself. Jesus was once asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” His answer wasn’t a complicated theological equation, but rather, a simple statement…and yet a profound one. 

 

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37). That’s everything! Actually, Mark adds one more: “and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30). This means that we should love God more than anyone else. In Luke 14:26, Jesus made a shocking statement: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is simply making a comparison—a strong one—that your love for Him should far exceed your love for your family. What a daunting challenge! Let’s briefly look at these four specific areas that Jesus outlined: 

 

All your heart: this is not referring to the organ that is beating in your chest (you knew that). The heart is referring to the seat of man’s affections and will. This has to do with devotion. We should affectionately love God, and we should do so willingly. Just as a lover is affectionate towards his beloved, so we should be affectionate toward God and the things of God. Colossians 3:2 tells us, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Is your heart focused on your heavenly Father? 

 

All your soul: the soul is the part of man that is his life. When a person dies, the soul leaves the body (which is just a vessel for the soul), and usually we bury that body (or have it cremated). Therefore, the soul is the seat of man’s breath and life; it is his consciousness. To love God with all your soul is to love Him at the very core of your being—your breath (life) and your consciousness (awareness). This is a deep-seated love that cannot be shaken. Is your soul set on your heavenly Father? 

 

All your mind: the mind is the seat of reasoning and understanding. God has blessed us with the ability to think for ourselves. The very thoughts that we think should be centered on God. That is how you love God with all your mind. “…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom. 12:2b). “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10). “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Cor. 10:5). Is your mind set on your heavenly Father? 

 

All your strength: a love relationship takes work! We are responsible to maintain our relationship with God. It’s been said that you’re as close to God as you want to be. This is absolutely true. A love relationship requires commitment, loyalty, trust, respect, giving of oneself, and sharing. All of these require time and effort, but when you’re in love, you want to do it all, and more! It’s the same with God. Be willing to put in the effort and love God with all your strength. 

 

When you’re in love with someone, you want to spend time with them and to learn more about them. So let me ask you, are you excited to spend time with God? Are you eager to get alone with Him and learn more about Him? Sadly, many Christians would have to admit that this is not true. Their love relationship with God has fizzled—it’s cold and stale. It’s time to rekindle your passion for God! You have a relationship with the God of the universe! This is the supreme love life. Take some time to get alone with Him and get that love back. Learn what it means to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.