“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)
What’s true about life in general is also true about the Christian life in particular. You and I are in a little boat. And that little boat has put out to sea. We are on a journey toward knowing and obeying God. Have you noticed how few there are who stand alongside as we push out into the sea, saying, “Good for you! Go for it! You can make it! You’re on the right track! God be with you!”?
I feel like we need many more who say such affirming things to all who desire to grow in their knowledge of God and the doctrines of His Word. In fact, as I write this, I think of myself on the pier cheering you on . . . because I believe in your journey. And I believe that if you have made the decision to know God fully and walk with Him obediently and learn His truths thoroughly, He will honour that decision. He, too, applauds your determination to return to your theological roots and discover the ocean of truth that stretches out before you. Never lose that love for knowledge! Never stop exploring in this adventure of faith!
It’s so important to know God—one of life’s major pursuits. Let’s consider the other side of the same coin—loving God, which is clearly our ultimate response.
Tucked away in the fifth book of the Bible is a profound statement and a wonderful command. I want you to see both statement and command together in Deuteronomy 6. The command is preceded by a statement. Let’s look first at the statement, which talks about knowing God, and then let’s observe the command, which addresses the importance of loving God.
Deuteronomy 6:4 is one of the most familiar statements in all of Jewish liturgy:
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! (NASB)
You can’t see it in English, but in the Hebrew that word one conveys the idea of “one in multiple,” one as in that “cluster” or “group.” Echad is the Hebrew word . . . it’s the term for one, as in a cluster of grapes. “The Lord our God is one—one in Father, one in Son, one in Spirit.” Moses says, “Hear O Israel, and come to know Him as your only God.”
Taken from Growing Deep in the Christian Life by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1986, 1995 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
