This is the 1st & most important of Gods commandments.
I am thinking that our heart is to spiritually love the Lord. The mind is the physical mind & the soul is the soul choices & the strength is our physical strength & body.
2007-09-28 09:59:33 · 10 answers · asked by t_a_m_i_l 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Zena Rae, Jesus said it this way in the Gospels. It is translated in English this way. The first of the 10 commandments also have to do with loving God who brought you out of bondage. Don't love idols or other gods before the Lord God who brought you out of bondage. For the Christian that would be freed from the bondage of sin & then being restored to God & His Word.
2007-09-28 10:30:03 · update #1
zena rae, Mark12:29+.
2007-09-29 08:25:27 · update #2
Jesus answered him, "The 1st of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart & with all thy soul & with all thy mind & with all thy strength: this is the 1st commandment. And the 2nd is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
2007-09-29 08:29:03 · update #3
to love him with all the power that you could possibly love anything, seak him with all the power to think and learn, follow him with all of your passion and drive, and to put every ounce of might you have into serving him
2007-09-28 10:18:41 · answer #1 · answered by Matthew P (SL) 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is seemingly a simple, almost needless-to-ask question. But it's something that, if you really want to take seriously and do, is something definitely worth asking. So, thanks for asking, Tami.
How do we love anything? Especially with all of our selves - with all our heart, mind, soul and strength? Most of us think we love pretty well. But, if we really take an honest look at how we love (and, I suspect it is the basis of your question) I think we'll find, in many ways, it is a self-centered love - a love that makes us feel good about ourselves (e.g. "See how loving I am?); or, a qualifying love ("I will love you 'if' or 'until'").
Then there are the variations of love - brotherly, friendship, erotic and, of course, unconditional love. There's also the kind of love where you say, "I love that minestroni soup" or "I love that movie".
As humans, our ability to love is hindered by our self-centeredness - our pride. We love for what we can get out of it - either physically, emotionally or spiritually - rather than for the benefit of the object being loved. If you honestly think about it, as you go through your day, in each moment, particularly in responses and attitudes toward people - the words you speak and write, the attitudes and feelings you generate, the thoughts you have about them - I'll bet you'll agree that it's very difficult staying in the unconditional love category.
On the one hand, it's an easy answer - since we're created in His image, the ability to love unconditionally is within us. In fact, we even do it occasionally. Yet, unconditional love eludes us more often than not, and we find ourselves struggling to understand why we keep getting in our own way.
I'd like to suggest two things. The first one comes from 1 John 2:15 and following - it is the struggle between the flesh and the spirit: "Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15).
One of the greatest struggles in life is the conflict between the flesh and the spirit. The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Desire God more than the world.
THAT is where you fight the fight, Tami. Give serious thought about this and how it applies to your life every moment - in every thought, every response to people, every action, etc. Become conscious of how it plays out in your life. It won't take you long to see what an incredible struggle we face. And, remember, our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesian 6) but against the rulers, powers and authorities in the spiritual realm. It's a spiritual engagement. It's Satan and his deception we're fighting, not people.
The second thing is to be born again. This is a concept that will continue to spark (welcomed) debate, but, I think it's the central point in what we need to do to love God the way you're trying to do.
In the story (John 3), Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart — a spiritual transformation. In our current state, we are spiritually “dead”; when we receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. When that happens, the Holy Spirit is given to us and it is through His power that we can transform our lives, effectively manage our spiritual struggle and love God the way you - and He - want. The first and greatest commandment.
It's not enough to 'believe', we have to 'do' in humble obedience. Then, we can fully love and experience God.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
2013-10-19 07:17:14 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To love God is to keep His commandments (John 14:15). To love God with all your heart soul mind and strength is to do what He commands in the first four of the ten commandments. The second greatest commandment Jesus says is to love your neighbor, which is keeping the last six of the ten commandments.
2016-04-06 05:44:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply stated, I think it means to put God first, and "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God".
Additional comment to Zina Rae: It's the first of the 10 Commandments, and Jesus said it is the most important.
He continued by stating that the 2nd most important is to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
2007-09-28 10:05:44 · answer #4 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
To truly keep the commandments requires an all-encompassing commitment to the Lord. You must let every aspect of your life be a reflection of Him. If you have a choice between pleasing Him and pleasing your own mother, your ecclesiastical leader, your child, or your best friend, you must choose Him.
2007-09-28 10:09:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Could you please tell me where in the bible this exact phrase is found?
"love the Lord thy God with all your heart, mind, soul & strength"
Or do you have to find a word here and another there to come up with this phrase?
Edit:
As I asked! Chapter and verse please!
2007-09-28 10:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by DrMichael 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
when you talk about your heart, mind and soul that is going to the very core of your being. it means your will, not mine be done in all things.
easier said then done.
2007-09-28 10:25:38 · answer #7 · answered by mary 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it merely emphasises that God is supposed to come first in your life.
The true definition of "idolotry" is when you place other things above God.
2007-09-28 10:04:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Just what it says.
100% love
2007-09-28 10:03:24 · answer #9 · answered by batgirl2good 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i'm not a Christian but my interpretaion is do everythin to the glory of God
2007-09-28 10:02:56 · answer #10 · answered by Doc 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋