What does the LORD your God require of you? To fear him, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.1 What we may consider as the 4 stages of a disciple’s growth.
In the beginning, God reveals to us in linear fashion (as how our mind works) facets of his nature and character—Omnipotence, Omniscience, Omnipresence, Creator, Holy, Righteous, Just, I Am, All Powerful, and more. Thus, we learn to fear him as LORD our God. Apart from the fear of the LORD, we remain fools. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.2
As we walk in obedience, our dread turns to delight. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.3 We grow in knowledge through his living and abiding Word and learn more of who He is—Guide, Counselor, Provider, Healer, Banner, Strong Tower, Staff and Rod, Shield, Protector.
He himself laid out reasons for us to love him. Grabbing our attention, he says, “Hear!” and instructs his chosen people to teach their children even through rote: ‘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 with all your might.’4
Our soul already involves our emotions, mind, and will. Yet, when Jesus was challenged as to which commandment is the most important of all, he answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your MIND and with all your strength.’”5 Jesus emphasized the kind of love that qualifies, the kind of love that involves the mind and will worship the Father in spirit and truth,6 each being fully convinced in his own mind.7
Indeed, God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.8 This same Jesus who came and said to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . .”9
Our only valid response is to serve the LORD with gladness!10
Notes:
1. Deuteronomy 10:12
2. Proverbs 1:7
3. Psalm 119:105
4. Deuteronomy 6:4-5
5. Mark 12:28-30
6. John 4:23-24
7. Romans 14:5
8. Romans 5:8
9. Matthew 28:18-19
10. Psalm 100:2
