Fulfilling the Greatest Commandment

Title: "Wholeheartedly Devoted to God"

Text: Deuteronomy 6:4-5

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Introduction

There is one word that we can use to summarize these 2 verses. What's the word in either English or in Khmer? Any answer? You hear this word being spoken when you refer to the time you spend with God especially in the morning. Any guess? The word is DEVOTION. Did you have your devotion or devotional time this morning?

In a Christian context, devotion refers to a believer's deep love, commitment, and dedication to God. This devotion can take several forms like:

1. Personal Devotions – Time spent in prayer, Bible reading, worship, and reflection on God’s word.

2. Group Devotion – Worship and spiritual practices done in a community, such as church services or group prayer.

3. Lifestyle of Devotion – Living in obedience to God, serving others, and aligning one’s life with biblical principles.

On a personal level a devotion is not just outward religious practices, but it is a commitment to God and an inward condition of love, trust, and faithfulness to God. This kind of devotion is precisely what Deuteronomy 6:4-5 calls us to pursue: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” This command, known as the Shema to the Jewish people, was recited daily as a reminder of their allegiance to God. But it’s more than an ancient ritual; it’s an invitation to make God the very center of our lives today.

As we explore this passage, let’s ask ourselves: Do we love God with all our heart, soul, and strength? This verse is not just a command to follow; it’s a call that we all need to experience a richer, more fulfilling life. Today, we are living in a world saturated with distractions, where we’re encouraged to divide our time, energy, and loyalty among countless pursuits, the idea of wholehearted devotion might seem radical—even impractical.

Yet, Jesus affirmed this commandment as the “first and greatest” (Matthew 22:37-38), showing us that our relationship with God must be our top priority. As we look closer at these verses, we’ll see that true devotion to God has three essential elements.

First, it begins with KNOWING God. Knowing about what? We will look at it very soon. Second, it’s about LOVING Him, a love that springs from the heart. Third, it’s about GIVING to God our soul and strength, that is, every part of our life So, devotion is knowing God, loving Him and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to to the one Who created. Are you devoted to God? Then these 3 elements must be present in our love relationship with God.

This afternoon let us revisit the first and the greatest commandment of Jesus, and learn not only what it means to be devoted to God but also how this devotion can transform your day-to-day life.

It’s my prayer that, by the end of this message, we will each have a clearer understanding of what it means to be fully devoted to God.

Let us begin with the first element of devotion. It's knowing Who God is.

I. KNOWING WHO GOD IS (Deuteronomy 6:4)

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”

This powerful proclamation, “Hear, O Israel,” isn’t just about listening; it’s about embracing and living out this truth in everyday life. In Hebrew, the word for “hear” implies more than auditory reception—it means to comprehend and a response what has been heard.  The verse says “The Lord our God, the Lord is one”. In a polytheistic world, it is easy to be swayed to worship other gods. It affirms that God alone is worthy of our loyalty and reverence, standing as a timeless truth that separates Him from all other deities and idols.

A. It's a call to prioritize God

In ancient times, idolatry was a daily part of life. People worshipped a multitude of gods to cover every facet of their needs—gods of weather, fertility, harvest, and war. But Moses makes a bold claim: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Moses wanted the people to see that God is not like these other so-called “gods.” Our God is unique, unbounded, and supreme. He isn’t divided into categories or limited by scope; He is all-encompassing, the Creator and sustainer of all things. As Isaiah 45:5 says, “I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.”

In today’s world, though we might not bow before statues, we still face “gods” in the form of possessions, status, and personal achievements.

When we prioritize our jobs over time with God, justifying it by believing we were providing for our families. But eventually, we realized that nothing could satisfy us like God Himself. By acknowledging His unique place in our lives, we found peace and purpose beyond our careers. This oneness of God reminds us that nothing else—no achievement or possession—can take His place.

B. It's a call to loyalty

By understanding that “the Lord is one” also demands that we be loyal to Him alone. Since God is unlike any other, He is worthy of an undivided heart. In Mark 12:29, Jesus Himself reiterated this truth: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” He went on to say that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Jesus was calling us to loyalty, emphasizing that if God truly holds the throne of our hearts, we will not give space to any rival gods or distractions.

In practical terms, loyalty to God means making choices that align with His will, even when it’s difficult.

Today, eventhough we might not worship carved images, there are still modern idols that compete for our devotion. Whether it’s a career, social media presence, financial goals, or personal ambitions, anything that comes between us and God can become an idol. Deuteronomy 6:4 reminds us to keep our focus on the one true God, not allowing anything else to capture our loyalty.

Now, let us go to the second element of devotion, loving God.

II. LOVING THE LORD (Deuteronomy 6:5a)

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart”

The command to “love the Lord your God” is a profound invitation into a relationship unlike any other. Unlike earthly rulers who may demand mere compliance or duty, God calls us to a love that is complete, sincere, and passionate.

This love isn’t superficial or conditional—it’s a love that flows from the depths of our being. This is the level of commitment and warmth God desires from us. In a world that encourages us to divide our attention, this command challenges us to center our hearts fully on Him.

A. We obey because we love God.

Moses’ words here show a transition in Israel’s understanding of devotion. In Deuteronomy 6:2, he emphasized “fearing” God, which captures a reverent respect and awe for His power and holiness. But now, he commands the people to “love” God, indicating that love is the root of true obedience.

Fear may guide our initial steps, but love sustains our walk with Him. Through love, we’re not just fulfilling duties but embracing a relationship. God’s desire is not for mere robotic obedience but for a heartfelt response to His kindness, mercy, and faithfulness.

Today, robots take the place of human being in service sector of society. They can substitute human beings in service but can't replace the love and warmth of a person towards the customers.

When we love someone, we naturally seek to please them, not out of obligation but out of a sincere desire to bring them joy. God wants that same kind of willing devotion from us, where our love for Him fuels our actions.

B. We love God with sincerity and wholeness

The phrase “with all your heart” speaks to an undivided and sincere devotion. Moses wasn’t calling Israel to a love of convenience or half-hearted affection. Loving God with all our heart means that our deepest affections, our most cherished desires, and our most passionate longings are directed toward Him. It means setting our whole heart on God, allowing no other allegiance to compete. We sometimes found ourselves more passionate about hobbies, entertainment, or career goals than about God. This realization was humbling and prompted us to re-evaluate our priorities. By intentionally dedicating more time to prayer, worship, and studying His Word, we discovered a deeper joy and satisfaction in God that these other pursuits couldn’t provide. Loving God with sincerity means regularly checking our hearts, identifying any rival affections, and asking God to be our deepest joy and passion.

To love God with all our heart is to give Him our first and greatest affection. Take a moment to ask yourself, “What truly captures my heart?” If anything besides God holds that place, it’s an opportunity to re-center our devotion. Just as a compass always points north, our hearts should continually point toward God. When we place Him at the center of our affections, we find the peace and fulfillment we long for.

In this love relationship, we discover that every sacrifice, every act of obedience, is worth it because it draws us closer to the One who first loved us.

The second element of devotion is loving the Lord. Finally,

III. GIVING OUR ALL TO GOD (Deuteronomy 6:5b)

“…with all your soul, and with all your strength”

Now this goes beyond a call to love God only with our heart—it reaches into the very essence of our being and how we live out that love. By commanding us to love God with all our soul and strength, God is inviting us to a complete, all-encompassing devotion. He doesn’t want just an emotional attachment or a private spirituality; He wants our entire lives to reflect His love. Think of the way an athlete gives their whole being—heart, soul, mind, and body—toward their sport, striving for excellence. That dedication, applied to our love for God, captures the essence of this command.

A. Giving/loving all your soul.

The word “soul” here refers to our life and existence—it’s the core of who we are, encompassing our mind, will, and emotions. Loving God with all our soul means letting every part of our inner self align with His purposes.

When we love God with our soul, it’s not just a Sunday affair or something that shows up in prayer. It’s in every part of our lives—our work, relationships, and even our private thoughts. This soul-level love is transformative because it makes God the center, shaping our identity and values.

Psalm 103:1 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Here, David calls his soul to honor God, showing that true devotion springs from deep within us. This is the kind of soul devotion God is calling us to—one where every thought, decision, and action is in alignment with His will.

B. Giving/loving with all your strength

Loving God with all our strength means bringing our physical resources, time, abilities, and efforts into our devotion. This command emphasizes that love is not just about words or feelings but is seen in actions and sacrifices. It’s about actively serving and investing in ways that honor God. When we love God with our strength, we give Him our best—our energy, talents, and even our physical resources.

What does Romans 12:1 encourage us, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Loving God with our strength turns our devotion into action, calling us to use our hands and feet to serve Him.

In practical terms, consider how you spend your time and energy as part of your worship. Just like you give time to loved ones, your devotion to God calls you to prioritize Him in your daily life. Whether through volunteering, helping someone in need, or simply giving your best in your work and family, you show your love for God through how you use your strength. You may find this devotion especially rewarding in serving at church, where even the smallest act of service can become a powerful expression of love when done with the right heart.

To love God with all our soul and strength means integrating Him into every area of our lives. Our careers, relationships, finances, and time all become opportunities to express this deep love. This call challenges us to ask, “Where am I investing my time and resources?” If we find ourselves expending more energy on temporary pursuits than on God, it’s a chance to realign our priorities. By loving God with all that we are, we find a deeper fulfillment, knowing that every part of our lives is being used for His glory.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our message on devotion, let’s remember that true devotion to God requires more than a religious practice; it requires our whole being—our mind, our heart, and our strength. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 calls us to a radical love for God: “The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”

In this call, we find three crucial elements of devotion: 1. Knowing God as our one and only Lord, loving Him deeply from the heart, and committing ourselves to serve Him with all we have.

We place Him above every other priority, ambition, or attachment in our lives. Just as Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters,” so we cannot divide our allegiance. Recognizing God’s lordship frees us from the idols of this world and opens our hearts to a genuine, undivided devotion.

2. Loving God with all our heart and soul calls us to an affection that’s not superficial or ritualistic but personal and passionate. God desires more than outward compliance—He wants our hearts. Just as in any relationship, love for God must be real and sincere. It means seeking Him in prayer, desiring His presence, and finding joy in His Word. Imagine the closeness of a friendship where you share everything without reservation. This is the relationship God invites us into, a relationship where love for Him drives our every decision and direction.

Have we allowed other things more than our love for God—ambitions, relationships, comforts—to take first place?

Finally, loving God with all our strength means that our devotion takes form in action. It’s not enough to say we love God if we’re not willing to live it out. True devotion shows in how we treat others, how we spend our time, and how we use our talents and resources for His glory. When we put God’s commands into action, we become His hands and feet in the world, reflecting His love and transforming our surroundings.

As we consider these truths, let’s ask ourselves: What might our lives look like if we were fully devoted to God? Are there parts of our lives we’ve kept from Him, or distractions that pull our attention away from His presence? Today, God calls each of us to renew our devotion—to recognize Him as our Lord, to love Him with all our heart, and to serve Him wholeheartedly.

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