The Only Way to Love God Is to Love Others

This message about love is not centered on emotion first. It begins with obedience. Jesus declared the greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Our love for others becomes evidence of our love for God. In a very real sense, we cannot truly love God while refusing to love people. Jesus also taught that whatever we do for the least of these, we do for Him.

The way we treat others often reveals the true condition of our relationship with God. All around us, we see people living fully engaged lives. Athletes push the limits of physical ability. Entrepreneurs drive innovation forward. Artists and creators explore new levels of beauty and expression. Life is meant to be lived with passion, courage, and commitment. But what if we approached our faith the same way? What if believers lived fully engaged with God, undeniably devoted, completely committed, and empowered by His strength? You may be surprised by who you can become through the power of God.

When you are fully engaged with Him, your life is no longer limited. Coaches say put your shoulder into it. Foremen say put your back into it. Teachers say put your mind into it. But Jesus said something even greater: put your heart, your soul, your strength, and your mind into loving God. He was calling us to pursue Him with everything we are. To be fully engaged with God means giving Him every area of life. When we seek Him wholeheartedly, every part of our lives is transformed our joy, wisdom, decisions, direction, and purpose. Everything changes when God becomes the center.

This truth begins in the Old Testament. After Israel was delivered from Egypt, God taught His people how to worship and live in covenant with Him. In Deuteronomy 6:4–5, Moses gave one of the most important commands in Scripture: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. This passage, known as the Shema, reveals three foundational truths. First, it shows the priority of God.

Israel was called to love God because He first loved them and rescued them. In the same way, we love Him because He first loved us and sent His Son for our salvation. Second, it reveals the uniqueness of God. Surrounded by nations filled with idols and false gods, Israel was reminded that there is only one true God. He alone is worthy of worship. Third, it reveals the purpose of God: wholehearted love expressed through obedience. Biblical love is not merely a feeling. It is commitment demonstrated by action. Jesus said, If you love Me, keep My commandments. Many people speak words of love to God on Sunday but live without reference to Him during the week. Real love is more than lyrics or emotion.

True love for God is shown through a life of obedience, surrender, and devotion. In the New Testament, Jesus expanded this command by adding, Love your neighbor as yourself. He joined love for God and love for others together. When we love people as He commands, we are also loving Him. The key word in Deuteronomy 6:5 is all. Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. This is what it means to be fully engaged. The heart represents the center of decisions, desires, and passions. To love God with all your heart means honoring Him with your choices and thoughts. The soul speaks of your whole person, your inner life, identity, and being. To love God with all your soul means giving Him everything within you. Strength speaks of all your energy, resources, and effort. To love God with all your strength means serving Him with your full capacity. Jesus added the mind, reminding us that our thoughts matter too.

We are called to love God intellectually, renewing our minds in truth and wisdom. Has anyone ever lived this perfectly? Yes, Jesus Christ. He always pleased the Father, walked in perfect obedience, and lived in complete surrender. He is our example. Yet Scripture also gives human examples of devoted love. In Luke 7, a woman known for her sinful past poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. Her deep love flowed from gratitude for the mercy she had received. The more we understand the grace of God, the more we will love Him. Then there is Peter. After denying Jesus three times, he was restored by the Lord on the shore of Galilee. Three times Jesus asked, Do you love Me? Each time, He followed with a command: Feed My sheep. Love was connected to obedience and service. Peter learned that loving Jesus meant following His will. Throughout Scripture, love for God was never treated lightly.

It was not empty language. It was a life fully surrendered. Today many people fall into one of two extremes. Some make faith private and hidden. Others make faith outward and performative, with no true devotion inside. But God calls us to both inward transformation and outward obedience. Love Him with all your heart and show that love through the way you live.

Perhaps you have wondered, Do I really love God enough? Many believers ask that question. But every time you obey Him, serve Him, honor Him, and follow His calling, you are expressing love for Him. You may already be loving God more than you realize. So whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord. Love Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And if you are loving Him now, then love Him even more. Loving God is not limited to singing songs in church.

You love God when you live for God. Let this be your commitment in this new season: to live fully engaged with God, devoted in heart, surrendered in soul, faithful in strength, and renewed in mind by His grace. Growing into this kind of life does not happen overnight. It is a journey of spiritual growth, biblical understanding, and daily surrender. But as you continue walking with Him, you will discover the joy of being fully engaged with God. Never forget the heart of the gospel: when Jesus died on the cross, He took our sin upon Himself and stood in