Love Yahweh—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love others—including, but not limited to, your family. Make disciples—including, but not limited to, your family.
This foundational triad forms the core of the Christian ethos, encapsulating the essence of discipleship and faithful living. Though seemingly straightforward, the challenge lies in the consistent enactment of these principles. These directives are at the heart of our faith, defining what it means to genuinely follow Christ. However, in the busyness of modern life, the simplicity of these profound mandates is often overshadowed, and our commitment to them frequently falters.
Love Yahweh: At its core, this command speaks to an all-encompassing devotion to God. It is not merely about emotional affection but about an integrated commitment involving heart, soul, mind, and strength. This type of love necessitates prioritizing God above all else, making Him the focal point of our lives. Yet, despite its importance, our devotion can easily become secondary amid the relentless demands of daily life. Our love for God calls us to rise above the distractions and obligations of daily life, making Him the center of everything we do.
Love Others: Flowing directly from our love for God is the imperative to love others. This is not a passive or selective love—it is active, encompassing all individuals, regardless of convenience or personal comfort. Jesus makes it explicit that true love for others extends beyond our immediate circles; it requires kindness, grace, and the pursuit of others’ well-being, even when inconvenient. Genuine love must manifest not only in words but also in concrete actions. This love calls us to rise above convenience, extending kindness and grace to all—even those whom we find difficult or unfamiliar. By loving others as Christ loves us, we embody the active, inclusive love that Jesus demonstrated.
Make Disciples: The task of making disciples is not confined to clergy or those with formal theological training. It is an essential component of every believer’s journey. Discipleship involves guiding others in their spiritual growth, nurturing their relationship with God, and embodying Christ’s teachings. This mandate is both inward and outward—it encompasses our families and extends to our communities, colleagues, and even strangers. However, many shy away from this responsibility, whether out of fear of judgment, discomfort, or simply the distractions of personal pursuits. Authentic discipleship requires intentionality and courage—qualities that are sometimes eclipsed by our own insecurities or complacency.
These three commands—loving God, loving others, and making disciples—though elegantly simple, are deeply transformative when practiced with consistency. The difficulty lies not in understanding these directives, but in integrating them into the fabric of our everyday lives. True discipleship requires us to make these values the core of our identity and our actions.
Concluding Reflection
The call to love God, love others, and make disciples is deceptively simple, yet it demands intentionality, consistency, and a deep commitment. These are not tasks to be performed in isolation but are integral elements of a faithful Christian life. Let us endeavor to embody this calling each day, recognizing that it is through these seemingly simple acts of love and discipleship that we truly reflect the heart of God to the world around us. In doing so, we participate in a transformative process—both for ourselves and for those we encounter—anchoring our lives in God’s love and sharing that love with others.
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 