Loving God and Loving Others: Rediscovering the Heart of Faith (Matthew 22:37–40)
A devotional reflection on Matthew 22:37–40, exploring the heart of faith through loving God wholeheartedly and loving others as ourselves.
In Matthew 22:37–40, Jesus gives one of the clearest and most powerful summaries of the Christian faith. When a teacher of the law asks, “Which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus responds not with a complex rule, but with two simple yet demanding commands: love God and love others.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
(Matthew 22:37, 39 – KJV)
Jesus declares that all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. In other words, the entire message of Scripture finds its fulfillment in love. Reflecting on these words invites us to examine the true center of our faith.
1. Loving God with Our Whole Being
The first commandment Jesus mentions is rooted in the Old Testament, specifically Deuteronomy 6:5—a verse known as the Shema, recited daily by faithful Jews.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Loving God is not a partial or occasional devotion. It is a wholehearted response that shapes every area of life. God is not meant to be one priority among many, but the very center from which all priorities flow.
Yet in everyday life, loving God fully is often challenging. Our hearts are easily drawn to other things—success, money, recognition, comfort, or security. Jesus speaks directly to this struggle:
“Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
(Matthew 6:24 – KJV)
To love God wholeheartedly means choosing Him above all else. It means placing Him at the center of our decisions, desires, and daily rhythms.
True love for God is also expressed through obedience.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
(John 14:15 – KJV)
Love is not merely emotional—it is lived out in faithfulness, trust, and a willingness to follow God’s will.
2. Loving Others as an Expression of Faith
The second commandment is inseparable from the first:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
This command echoes Leviticus 19:18 and reveals that love for God must naturally extend to love for others. Scripture makes this connection unmistakably clear.
“He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”
(1 John 4:20 – KJV)
Faith that does not move outward toward others remains incomplete. Genuine love for God transforms how we see, treat, and respond to the people around us.
Yet loving others is often difficult. It requires patience, humility, forgiveness, and sacrifice—especially when people hurt us or differ from us. Jesus raises the standard even higher:
“Love your enemies… and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
(Matthew 5:44 – KJV)
Love, as Jesus teaches it, is not based on emotion alone. It is a deliberate choice expressed through action—showing kindness, extending grace, offering forgiveness, and caring for those in need.
Through the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), Jesus makes it clear that our “neighbor” is not limited to those who are familiar or convenient. Love crosses boundaries and reaches those who are often overlooked.
3. Holding Love for God and Love for Others in Balance
Many people struggle to hold these two commands together.
Some emphasize love for God but remain distant or indifferent toward others.
Others focus on helping people but neglect their relationship with God.
Jesus refuses to separate these two loves. True faith flows from God to others—received in relationship with Him and expressed through compassionate action.
James reminds us of this essential connection:
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
(James 2:17 – KJV)
Loving God transforms us, and transformed lives naturally reflect God’s love to the world.
Living a Life Shaped by Love
Matthew 22:37–40 calls us back to the heart of faith. Christianity is not ultimately about rules, achievements, or appearances—it is about love.
- Loving God with our whole heart
- Allowing that love to reshape our lives
- Letting God’s love flow through us to others
As we reflect on Jesus’ words, we are invited to ask ourselves:
- Is God truly at the center of my life?
- Does my faith express itself through love for others?
May we continue to grow in love for God, and may that love become visible in how we live, serve, and care for those around us.
In the end, the essence of faith is this:
to encounter God’s love and allow it to transform the world through us.