Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all our hearts

General
1

Jesus tells us that to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, with all of our strength, is the highest rule of all rules for leading a godly life. Jesus also teaches us in the same way, by his personal example, when he prays, “Not my will, but Thy will be done?” Jesus is saying, “Not what I want. I only want what You want.” This is the criterion for what we refer to as “love of God.” Simply desiring His satisfaction, and His pleasure, as the basis of every thought, word and deed.

People pray to God, all over the world, in all the various classical religious paths, “Dear God, here is my list of desires, of things that I want to have, things I wish to achieve.” “Health, wealth, social status, success in my undertakings, may my children be successful, happy, healthy.” In this way, God becomes the big Amazon.com in the sky, our source of supply for making our lives more enjoyable. We place our orders, and God supplies. This is materialism in the name of religion.

This is not love. This is a business deal. “If I can get what I want…..I’ll worship God.” This is pious in the sense that one is recognizing that God is the Source of everything, because, in spite of all our efforts, “Not a blade of grass moves except by the will of the Lord.” But this is not pure devotion. This is worship which is motivated by personal desire.

Jesus is preaching pure, unmotivated devotional service of the Lord. Serving God, simply out of feelings of love. “Not my will…..not what I want…..but whatever is pleasing to You…..that’s what I also want.” When we were little children, we approachde our mother or father, “Give me, give me….I want, I want……”. But when we grow up, and become more mature, we say, “You have given me everything……now, what can I do for you?” This is the level of spiritual maturity that Jesus is preaching, and teaching by his personal example. This is the meaning of “love of God”. Doing everything for His pleasure.

Washing a dish in the sink. Whose dish is it? It is God’s dish. All dishes in this world are God’s dishes. But we claim ownership. Cleaning the house. Whose house is it? It is God’s house. All houses are God’s houses. But we claim ownership. But if we wash His dishes and clean His house, the simplest act becomes a work of devotional service to the Lord. In this way, everything we do should be done as service to God, with feelings of love. This is the meaning of “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all of your heart, all of your mind, all of your strength.” When we are connected with God in a spirit of devotional service, the devil cannot approach us…..because there’s no distance between ourselves and God. Satin, if you will, can only take advantage of the space that we alot for him.

Therefore, being a member of this church, or that……this is not the real idea. It’s a start. But we have to begin to live in the Kingdom of God, in the here and now. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, here on earth, as it is in heaven.” It’s not something to wait for. It’s a personal choice. We will not be losers. Rather we will become happy: “ My cup runneth over…..and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

Like Jesus says, “Consider the birds of the field. He takes care of them. Why wouldn’t He take care of us?”, especially if we are always thinking, “Not my will, but Thy will. Let my life be about always seeking Your pleasure.” This is the way, and the truth and the life….loving the Lord our God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength.

2

A few years ago, while praying, I realized that I was saying a lot about what I wanted, so I said, “Are You getting all this? Are You taking notes or something?” I later asked a minister I know, and he said not to worry: God has a sense of humor and knew that I was joking. So how did I get that lightning burn on my butt?

3

Hi literal man! I also am inclined to take scriptures literally. Because if everyone and anyone can give their own interpretation……then what is the use of having scriptures?

I am happy to hear from you, in response to my little attempt to write something that may be meaningful to others……..because in reading your comments, I am inclined to feel that this person, this literalman is very soft-spoken. He is a man who is fixed up in sufficient faith, that affords him an inner fulfillment, that in turn enables him to speak kindly and gently to everyone. I feel respectful when I read your words. .

I see that you understand what I am trying to say. And that is gratifying. But I don’t understand your last sentence: “So how did I get that lightning burn on my butt?” Did that actually happen? Do you mean that you actually received a burn in that way, and thought that this might be in response to your joking words?

Of course we accept that not a blade of grass moves except by the will of the Lord. But to directly connect your questions to our Eternal Father with the fact that some mishap descended upon you……perhaps we will never know. However I have seen some quotes in other scriptures that indicate that God even prefers anger against Him, as opposed to those who deny His existence. Therefore I am inclined to think that He enjoyed your sense of humor, and saw very clearly, that you were making fun of yourself, and not being disrespectful.

Sometimes people who have doubts about God’s existence ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Sometimes a mother may punish her child…….but only because she wants the best for the son or daughter that she loves so much. At the time, the child may not understand. But when they grow up they begin to understand more clearly, and their hearts are filled with gratitude.

I enjoyed your story. I sometimes joke about people who are inclined to feel that because they are involved in doing good works……they believe that one a day a bolt of lightening will come down from heaven and bless them with realization of their intimate relationship with God. Because Jesus tells us that God has a personality, and wants our love, and that realization of God’s loving presence is not attained simply by handing in a good report card of pious works completed. He tends to get a little jealous when we strike up a relationship with Mammon.

Thanks for writing. Peter

4

The lightning burn was a joke. Maybe God didn’t laugh when I asked whether He was taking notes of everything in my gimme-gimme prayer. I was making fun of myself really.

One time I sincerely asked for a slap (a harsh realization, not a physical slap) if I was pursuing the wrong direction—nothing sinful, just not the right path for me. I got the slap, and it hurt. But afterward I thanked God for it.

5

I feel that you are very mature, very honest, both with yourself and with God. I am happy to have met a man like you. I offer you all respect. I think you would be a wonderful church leader and preacher. I would go to your church. Thank you. You make me feel closer to God.