Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, and Strength: A Call to Holiness

 Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, and Strength: A Call to Holiness

In Deuteronomy 6:5, we are commanded:

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

This verse is foundational to both Judaism and Christianity, calling us to wholehearted devotion to God—a lifestyle that influences every part of who we are. But what does it truly mean to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength? How can we live out this commandment when faced with the distractions and challenges of daily life? Let’s unpack the depth of this command and how we can respond.

God as “Top of Mind”

Today, advertisers strive to make their product “top of mind,” the first thing people think about when they need something like a car or restaurant. While God is certainly not an advertiser, He desires to be “top of mind” in our lives—not as a product to sell, but as the One we live for.

When God is top of mind, He influences everything: our thoughts, decisions, relationships, and actions. This isn’t about compartmentalizing faith for Sunday mornings; it’s a call to let Him permeate every part of our lives. To love God as He commands is to let Him be the first and last thought of our day and the guiding presence in everything we do.

What It Means to Love God with Your Heart, Soul, and Strength

The Hebrew words in this verse reveal the depth of this command:

Heart (Levav)

The heart in Hebrew encompasses more than emotions—it represents our thoughts, will, and feelings. Loving God with all your heart means aligning your desires, motivations, and decisions with His will. It’s about letting God shape your inner life and direct your outward actions.

Soul (Nephesh)

The soul refers to the whole self—your life essence and identity. Loving God with all your soul is about surrendering every part of who you are to Him. It means offering your life, talents, and identity to serve His purposes.

Strength (Me’od)

This word literally means “muchness” or “abundance.” It represents your resources, energy, and everything you can bring to God. Loving Him with all your strength means using your time, talents, and possessions to glorify Him.

Together, these three reflect a wholehearted devotion. God doesn’t want just part of us—He calls us to love Him with everything we are and everything we have.

The Challenge of Living This Out

Loving God in this way can feel overwhelming. Our human nature—our “flesh”—often pulls us away from God. Distractions, fears, and selfish desires make it difficult to keep Him top of mind. But here’s the good news: God doesn’t leave us to figure it out alone.

Through the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live this kind of life. The Spirit strengthens us to overcome our weaknesses and equips us to reflect Christ. While the decision to follow Jesus is ours, the Spirit comes alongside us to accomplish what we cannot do on our own.

Holiness: The Reward of Devotion

God commands us to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44, 1 Peter 1:16). This call to holiness is not about harsh demands but a loving invitation to live in alignment with God’s character. Holiness is both a requirement and a reward:

1. The Standard: God’s holiness sets the standard for how we live.

2. The Reward: When we live in holiness, we experience the fullness of life as He intended.

God’s love for us doesn’t just demand holiness—it enables it. He sent the Holy Spirit to equip us, empowering us to live as He commands. When we surrender who we think we are to embrace who God knows we are, we step into the life He created us to live.

A Lifestyle of Surrender

At the heart of this commandment is surrender. Loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength means letting go of our own agendas and trusting God to define who we are and what we’re called to do.

When we surrender:

• God becomes “top of mind,” shaping every aspect of our lives.

• Our faith becomes consistent and habitual, reflecting Christ in us.

• The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out God’s commands.

This surrender isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment to live as God intends.

How to Live Out This Commandment

Here are some practical steps to keep God “top of mind” and live out this verse:

1. Start Each Day with Surrender

Pray and ask God to guide your thoughts, words, and actions.

2. Stay Connected to God

Make prayer, worship, and Scripture meditation a regular part of your day.

3. Rely on the Holy Spirit

Recognize that holiness isn’t about striving in your own strength—it’s about letting the Spirit work in you.

4. Use Your Resources for God’s Glory

Dedicate your time, talents, and possessions to serving Him and others.

5. Reflect Christ in Relationships

Let your love for God overflow into how you treat others, showing grace and kindness.

The Call and the Promise

To love God with all your heart, soul, and strength is both a call and a promise. It invites us into a life of intimacy with God, transforming us into His likeness and reflecting His love to the world.

God’s love for us not only calls us to obedience but equips us to live up to His commands. When we surrender our lives to Him, we discover the joy and freedom of living as He intended—loving Him fully and allowing that love to shape every part of who we are.

Let this commandment become more than words—let it define your life. God is calling you to love Him with everything you have, and through His Spirit, He has made it possible. Are you ready to surrender and step into the life He created you to live?