Love at the Core: Lessons from the Shema

The Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4 holds a profound truth about love.

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might"

This passage doesn’t just instruct us to believe in one God; it urges us to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. It’s a love that is not just intellectual, but emotional and all-encompassing. Jesus himself said this was the greatest commandment, affirming that love is at the core of our faith and lives.

So how do we develop this type of love for God? It starts with recognising that the love God asks of us is deeper than a simple obligation. The Hebrew word ahava used in this verse carries a sense of giving freely, desiring, and delighting. It’s a love born from connection and relationship. As followers of Christ, we are called to cultivate this love, letting it shape our actions, thoughts, and entire lives.

We can’t manufacture this love on our own; it grows from our relationship with God. As we spend time in His Word, in prayer, and reflecting on His goodness, we deepen that connection. We become more aware of His love for us, and we, in turn, respond with a love that is both feeling and action.

The challenge for us is not just to love God, but to love Him with our all. This love should be reflected in how we spend our time, our resources, and our energy.

Do we give God the best of ourselves, or just the leftovers after we’ve taken care of everything else? Are there “high places” in our lives—things we hold onto that compete with our love for God? Like Hezekiah and Josiah, we must ruthlessly remove anything that stands in the way of fully loving and serving God.

Developing this kind of love is a process. It takes time, effort, and sometimes extreme measures. But as we commit ourselves to God, He works in us, transforming our hearts and helping us grow in love for Him.

Let’s strive to live lives that are fully committed, filled with passion, and fuelled by a deep love for our Heavenly Father.

It’s not just about doing more—it’s about loving more.