The Greatest Commandment

by Andy Muxlow

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

God’s clear and simple command is a refreshing reminder of our primary call as believers. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 6 when asked by the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment in the Law. We are to genuinely love God with everything we have and in everything we do. Does all our ministry activity begin out of a love for God or has any root of legalism and routine robbed us of serving Him? It is important to ask ourselves the simple question “Why do we do what we do?” Our motives are of utmost concern to our Lord. Our heavenly Father sent His Son to pay for our sins on the cross. Let this reality drive us to live out our love for Him from renewed hearts.

This pure command of Scripture should be on our minds throughout the day. It should be a part of our daily conversation with our children and our meditation in the normal activities of the day. What a gift from our gracious God! It makes it difficult to have a bad day.

So, the question you might ask is “How do I do this?” I believe the answer is in the command. LOVE GOD with all your heart, soul and might. As you walk in the Spirit, God will enable you to obey His commands and He will receive all the glory. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey me.” I pray you will be refreshed in your love and devotion to our Christ and His wonderful saving grace.