The Greatest Command

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” The question comes from a group of Pharisees in Matthew 22. Jesus takes them back to center by answering, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Embedded within these words in an invitation to walk closely with God and be changed.

It has been said that Jesus used these words to draw our attention to the fact that God wants to be involved in transforming every part of our lives. Like God called Abraham to put Isaac’s life directly int eh hands of God, He call us to surrender our families to His leadership and authority. He calls for our hearts. As He calls for our souls, we know that our spiritual health and growth are wrapped up In His plan for us. The plan to transform us to look like Jesus and to live eternally with Him, starting with today. Just as Paul called for the renewal of the mind in the Book of Romans, Jesus calls us to think differently than the world about life and priorities. He calls us to seek truth and walk closely with God. Every part of our lives is changed as we walk with Jesus.

The Bible is more than a series of facts, an interesting historical story, or even a moral guidebook. The Bible is God speaking into the lives of His people. Reading and embedding the Bible in our hearts is a path to transformation. God shapes us in the reading when we are open to His leading.

These words of Jesus provide a framework as you read your Bible this week.
1. Every day ask yourself, “How does this passage draw me closer to God?”

2. Meditate on how His words change your views and perceptions of the life we live now and the eternity God has promised.

3. Look closely at how Embedding the Bible transforms your mind. How does it change the way you think?

4. How does the Bible shape your reactions and attitudes?