What does it mean to love God wholeheartedly?

The greatest, most important commandment is the love our God with all of our being (Matthew 22:36-38).

The fact that it is the greatest, most important commandment means two things:

- We'd better obey it.

- To disobey it is the greatest sin imaginable.

But, what does it mean to love our God with all of our being? Does that mean that we are to have the "feelings" of love in our heart for Him? Is it simply an emotional response that God is calling for?

The answer is a resounding "No!" While there will often be an emotional aspect to our love for God, the feelings of love are not what is commanded. After all, how can God command us to feel certain ways? Our emotions are so unpredictable at best.

There are many aspects to what it means to love God with our whole being. But, the Bible tells us more than a few times what that love looks like.

It tells us that if we truly love God, there is something we will do to show it. This action step is the natural response to someone who truly loves the Lord.

John 14:15 (New Living Translation)

Jesus: "If you love me, obey my commandments."

John 14:21 (New Living Translation)

Jesus: "Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me..."

1 John 5:3 (New Living Translation)

"Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome."

Do not misunderstand these verses:

These verses are NOT saying that to love God, we simply do what He says.

These verses are saying that if we love God, we'll show it by doing what He says.

So, will you spend time in God's Word today to see what He has said so that you can obey it? Doing so is not the act of love. But, it powerfully shows that love for God exists in your heart.