How can I love God with all my heart? What a great question! Let’s see what the Bible tells us about loving God with our whole hearts.
“A scribe asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is…You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart…soul…mind…and strength (Mark 12:28-30).”
In Mark’s Gospel, he depicts the Jewish leaders opposing Jesus. This incident with a scribe is the exception. In this way, Mark makes this question and answer stand out. This is an important question and answer to know. But how do we love God with all our hearts?
God Command Us to Love
“(This prime commandment to love) is more (important) than all burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mark 12:33).”
In the Old Testament, before Jesus came as the final sacrifice, God’s people could not approach Him unless they first offered a sacrifice. Their sin separated them from the holy God. But, unlike Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins, their sacrifices only covered their sin temporarily. Jesus’ sacrifice permanently took away our sin. That’s why we no longer offer sacrifices.
But, as King Saul learned (the hard way), receiving sacrifices wasn’t as important to God as obedience to God’s instructions. Saul disobeyed them. His orders were: To war against an enemy and not spare their livestock.
However, Saul spared the animals. Then he justified his actions by telling God’s prophet Samuel that he kept them to offer them as a sacrifice.
On God’s behalf, Samuel told Saul what God desired more than sacrifice:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Obedience is better than sacrifice, a listening ear than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:22-23).”
What is the Greatest Love?
When we understand that Jesus died for us and we believe in Him, God promises that we can go to heaven when we die. And Jesus died for us while we were God’s enemies.
“Greater love has no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).”
That is what Jesus did. He didn’t just say He loves us; he proved it.
“In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).”
What this means for believers:
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 14:15).”
When Jesus said this, He wasn’t emphasizing love as an emotional response. It’s possible to obey someone you don’t love. Employees do their job and follow instructions from bosses they don’t like. Since we can’t always control our feelings and dreadful things happen in this world, it is possible to obey God without loving Him. But ideally, our emotions will line up with our obedience.
For believers, loving God is not required to go to heaven. But of course, it’s desirable and our reasonable response because of the salvation He’s provided for us (Romans 12:1).
How Can I Love God With All My Heart?
Jesus, God the Son, laid down His life for us. God wants us to show Him this greater love: Live our lives for Him. That’s how we love God with all our hearts.
Note: When Jesus says keep my commandments, He didn’t mean the ten commandments. He meant His teachings.
What this means for unbelievers:
God initiated love, even though you (unbelievers) are His enemy. He makes the sun to shine on both the believer and the unbeliever.
God offers salvation to all, and God does not require you to love Him to go to heaven. Jesus provides salvation at no cost to you. He created you, so you’re morally responsible to Him. God invites everyone to quench their spiritual thirst:
“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price (Isaiah 55:1).”
What this means for Christian leaders:
How can I love God with all my Heart?
“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
He (Jesus) said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
He (Jesus) said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.”
He (Jesus) said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
He (Jesus) said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?”
Peter was grieved because He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He (Peter) said to Him, “Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep (John 21:15-17).”
