Matthew 22:36-37 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Can you love God with all your heart, soul and mind?

Early in life I was told that a mother’s love is the greatest love. My mother failed me. I was told that I would relate to God by my father’s love for me. My father failed me. It became apparent to me that my parents could not give anything more than what they had. It just wasn’t in them.

That thought rang true in my soul this morning when I realized the truth of the great command to love God with all of our being.

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

The only way any of us can love God with perfect love is if that perfect love abides in our hearts.

Matthew 22:36 asks about the Mosaic Law, the first commandment. Jesus explains the law in relevant terms that clarify what it means to have no gods before Yahweh.

Jesus brokered a new covenant, a new contract, which says: “You couldn’t love perfectly no matter how hard you tried, so I will do it for you.”

The OT is fully of examples of how man’s love for God failed. The NT is full of examples of how God’s perfect love has not failed us.

I’ve tried to love and failed. Even today when I try in my own strength I come up short. It is only by faith, grace and mercy that the abiding love of God shows.

John 17:10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.