YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. Deuteronomy 4:29.
At first, that seems like an easy command. Of course, I love God. I love Him because He first loved me. He is love and He created me to love Him. Sure, I love God.
After further thought, I have these questions. Do I love Him with all that I am? Do I love Him with all of my heart, soul, and strength? Do I love Him more than myself? Do I love Him more than my comfort and my possessions? Do I love Him more than my spouse and my children? These are not easy questions to answer. They require contemplation and prayer and self-examination.
In John 15:9-10, Jesus said: “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His Love.â€
Have you ever told someone, “Don’t just tell me that you love me…show Meâ€? We want proof that we are loved. Jesus wants to see the proof of our love. In verse 14 of John 15, Jesus says: “You are my friends if you do whatever I command youâ€.
Jesus loves us so much that He laid down His life for us. We must love Him with all of our heart, soul, and strength. I love this chorus:
OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME, OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME, HE GAVE HIS LIFE, WHAT MORE COULD HE GIVE, OH HOW HE LOVES YOU, OH HOW HE LOVES ME, OH HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME.