(by pastor Jean)
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mk 12:30; NKJV) (see also Matt 22:37, Luke 10:27, Deut 10:12, 30:6), This is a command, not a suggestion, God wants us to love Him with all that we can. If we do this God says that He will deliver us and protect us (Ps 91:14), that He will reveal Himself to us (Jn 14:21) (also 1John 4:16) and He will make His home with us (1John 14:21). The MEV actually says to “set your affection on things above, not on things on earth” (Col 3:2; MEV). We are the ones who have to do the “setting”, God won’t do it for us. It is a good practice to set your mind and affection on God at the beginning of each day. Of course, our minds will wander and get distracted however, we can “reset” them every time we think about it - such as before that phone call, before that meeting and so on. This is how we “abide in the vine” (John 15:4) and have close communion with God. How exactly do we show our love to God? Through worship and fellowship with Him (1 John 5:3), through obedience and serving and that means we need to love others as well as God (1 John 4:20-21); this is what proves our love for God.