The Teaching of Jesus

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind."

Matthew 22:37 (RSV)

The mistake we all make is limiting certain passages in the Bible to our own interpretation or attributing to them the meaning that best fits our vision of things. This leads many believers to interpret this teaching of Jesus Christ according to their own human interpretation. They overlook the true meaning of the verb "to love" in the verse. According to the Bible, the context of the verb "to love" has nothing to do with our feelings or the strong emotions we experience. It is this misinterpretation that prevents us from giving love its true place in our lives.

According to this teaching of Jesus, loving God is not limited to an emotional attachment, but rather to a total commitment to God and His will. Nothing else should occupy a place in our lives. The things with which we are to love God play a predominant role in our commitment to Him. The heart, the basis of our emotions, is the first place where God should reside in our lives. Our soul, being our own personality, should reflect the image of God, for which He created us. And our thoughts, which guide our decisions, should be centered on the things of God.

This verse is considered one of the most difficult to understand. Is it really? The real problem is that we seek the easy way out. This causes us to prioritize the options available to us at the expense of our commitment to God, which is to trust Him in all circumstances. Those who love God as Jesus taught will understand that difficulties are sometimes obstacles that prevent us from seeking the easy way out and turning to God. For this is the only way to seek His presence and commit ourselves to depending on His will.

May God's grace and peace be with you all.