What keeps us from loving God and loving others the way we should?

Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

I love how Jesus’ words in this scripture simply say “you must”. We do not have a choice.

That’s deep.

But what does it truly mean? I’m talking about loving the Lord with ALL of your heart, soul, and mind. It means every part of you is for him. This is not something to take lightly. We do this by giving up the life we want and seeking the one He wants for us. We have to allow our heart to truly beat for Him. Our mind also belongs to Him – not this world. We must sacrifice our personal wants, desires, and ways of this world the way He sacrificed his own life for us.

– It’s guarding your heart with His armor and strength.

– It’s allowing Him to work through you.

– It’s not allowing your mind to be filled with the worry, hurt, sins of this world but His truth only.

– It’s not trying to figure it all out on our own. But finding peace with where He has us. (Matthew 5:9)

Finally, if you’re going to love yourself, you have to see it through the Father’s eyes. If we’re going to love the person that cut us off in morning traffic, beat us to the front of the line, or let us down when we were counting on them, we’re going to have to see them through the Father’s eyes. Patient and forgiving. He is sufficient for what we need to live out his commands.

We must realize this. We must.