⁴ Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: ⁵ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

Explanation:

We learn two very important doctrines from this particular verse.

First we learn that there is only one God. There are not multiple gods. There is only one God. He is the supreme Creator and Ruler of Heaven and Earth. We know that He exists as One God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is not just a New Testament teaching. The foundation for this truth is found in the Old Testament as all three persons of the Godhead are seen in the Old Testament.

Secondly, we learn that we ought to love God. One implication of this command is that God has given to us, His creation, the freedom of will to decide to love Him or not to love Him. He has given us so much. He created us. He sustains us. He created life and breath and all that is in the earth for His glory and for our good. We know that He also has not kept His Son back from us, but gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. This God commands that we love Him, and gives us the choice to obey or not.

This passage is called the Shema by the the jews. Shema means “listen”, and was often quoted by them. Jesus said that this command was greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38.

³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.³⁸ This is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:37-18

Application:

We ought to know God as He is, as He has revealed Himself. There are not multiple Gods. Yet in many peoples lives, including my own at times, there are competing gods vying for my worship and allegiance. For the children of Israel pagan idol worship and all that came with it might have been their temptation. For us it may be entertainment, work, hobbies, sex, possessions. On and on the list can go. Anything we set our hearts desires on can take the place that only God deserves in our lives. There is only one God.

We ought to love God for who He is, and for what He has done for us. It’s the most important thing in life, to worship and love the True and Living God. It’s a choice that we can make. It’s a choice that we must make. How should we love Him? With all our heart, soul, and might! The only way that can happen is by first a regeneration of my heart. I must be saved. Then after I am saved, I am indwelled by the Spirit who then fills me, and empowers me to love God like that.

Response:

1. If you could take a temperature of your love for God, what would it read? How are you demonstrating your love for Him? Are you spending time with Him?
2. Do you have anything or anyone in your life that is taking the place of God?