THE MOST IMPOSSIBLE BIBLE VERSE OF ALL TIME
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.’ Deuteronomy 6:5
‘Jesus answered him, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you.’ ‘ Matthew 22:37
Welcome to the big enchildada — “All-Command”. Jesus echoes this verse in Deuteronomy and basically says — do this. If you’re looking for wiggle room, there is none. Welcome to the “all-in” life.
‘“How could you worship two gods at the same time? You will have to hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t worship the true God while enslaved to the god of money!”’ Matthew 6:24
After awhile of following Jesus — bad habits start to sneak in. For me, sometimes I would change my music or watch stuff on TV that I know puts me in a bad place.
Other times, it was hanging with the wrong crowd and letting negative opinions occupy space in my mind. Or, too much social media scrolling and watching the news.
“The devil will give up when he sees that you are not going to give in.” ― Joyce Meyer, Battlefield of the Mind
Now is the time to inventory your own life. Take a look at your day to day, search these areas: heart, soul and strength. If you refuse to develop these areas — you will never develop, period.
The devil won’t let up until you go “all in”.
❤️ Love with every passion of your heart.
Around the house sometimes I catch my kids saying talking trash. I think the other day Roscoe (age 10) said nobody loved him or cared about him. Usually when this happens it’s because he is either “tired” or “hungry” — sometimes both. These are easy triggers for us to figure out what Roscoe is really trying to say.
But, I also remind him of this — “out of the abundance of the heart — the mouth speaks.” — Luke 6:45
If trash is coming out of your mouth — check your heart. Keep it simple.
‘So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.’ Proverbs 4:23
🖤 With all the energy in your being
Loving God with your energy or soul can be even harder. I look at it like this, the Bible says we are ambassadors. If I call myself a follower of Jesus, I need to BE the part.
Before we were on quarantine lockdown, I kept a pair of shoes in my car. I did it due to the high amount of homeless people in our area. I thought, maybe one day, I could give someone a brand new pair of shoes. I didn’t have much cash at the time — but I wanted to do something. I couldn’t just keep driving by all of these suffering humans and not do anything.
Finally the day came. I asked a man near Trader Joe’s if he needed a pair of shoes. He said, “yes, I sure do.” I gave him the shoes and went on my day.
Giving to homeless people is not the measure of your love for God. However, for me — I knew it was something that would best represent Jesus. It was an overflow from my heart that spilled into my “energy” — and that is when you know it’s working.
‘So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin.’ James (Jacob) 4:1
We all have things we pass up on our day. We are too busy or we think someone else will do it. I think we should all challenge that thought. If we see it — why can’t we get it done?
🤍 With every thought that is within you.
If you thought you were doing good on the first two — this one will F you up. Love God with EVERY SINGLE THOUGHT — seems impossible. And, on our own — 💯 percent impossible.
‘Looking straight into their eyes, Jesus replied, “Humanly speaking, no one, because no one can save himself . But what seems impossible to you is never impossible to God!”’ Matthew 19:26
I don’t have an answer for how you love God with every single thought. I’m not even close to mastering this one. But, I can tell you what helps me think better thoughts.
When your heart and soul are connected to Jesus — your mind tends to follow. There is less noise for you to have to filter which means better thoughts for you.
‘So keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising him always. ‘ Philippians 4:8
Here’s a little Hillsong United 💧 to get you in the game.
Look, I don’t have all the answers on this stuff. I don’t have a perfect solution. When I read and observe Jesus — I just think he’s a good dude. He didn’t try to do too much. When he could do something — he did. And, I want to be more like that.
He prayed a ton. This area of his game I think is where most of us miss. He spent that time meditating, praying and sorting out the heart and soul. He didn’t hide this aspect and I think it’s his true super power.
So yah, the “All-Command” verse is pretty big time. It’s a very intimidating scripture. But, just do the best you can. Even when it doesn’t seem possible — just do it anyway, see what happens.
