Mark 12:30
How can we delineate between loving the Lord with ‘all’ of each of these things? Is loving the Lord with all of our heart different from loving him with all of our soul? To answer this we really have to start with the meaning of love. These words make it obvious that this is not simply an emotional love. The love here is agape love. It is an unconditional choice. It is not a fair-weather love, it is ‘all-in’ devotion. It does not naturally come from fallen humanity. It requires help from God to even practice this kind of love.
Thus, when we consider the meaning of love, the other words begin to make much more sense. Loving the Lord with the heart and soul will lead to an emotional response, but that is only part of what it will do. Loving the Lord with our mind and strength will cause an active, reasoned, response, but that is not all that it will do. Love from these sources involves the entire individual. Nothing gets left out, and the relationship with God becomes foremost and all-encompassing.
Heavenly Father, may we love you as we should! Our love is so often only limited. We find part of our being to give to you. Usually it is the part most visible to others. But, that is not what you want. You want our entire devotion. You are worthy of it, and you have every right to demand it. I know that we will find loving you is the best choice we could ever make. Thank you! In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise you, Amen.