Catechism: Discipleship And Our Whole SelfSample

Inward and outward.

Specific and holistic.

Looking at Jesus’ identity, emotions, interactions, and even His physical needs, we can see the value of balance.

Throughout this four-part reading plan, we have torn down some of the misconceptions about mental health that are common among believers.

We've explored the value of honest and authentic relationships, a willingness to self-examine and to invite God to reveal growth areas.

As we look at today’s first passage, it’s interesting how Jesus responded to the question about the most important commandment.

The emphasis is on your relationship with God and the challenge to love Him with all you are.

Nothing held back.

Nothing left covered.

God invites you today and every day to love Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength even as He recognizes our tendency to pull things back.

Today, as you read these verses, make an honest assessment of the degree to which you can say that you love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do you find yourself conforming to the world, or are you daily being transformed by allowing God to change the way you think, act, and respond to your circumstances?

Maybe this is the first time you have read these passages, or perhaps they are familiar to you. Regardless of where you start, Jesus' words are an excellent way to assess how you are maturing as a believer. Are you pursuing Him or your own ways to feel safe, loved, and worthwhile?

But Jesus didn’t stop there. The mark of a mature believer is not just his/her relationship with God but also how that tangibly impacts their relationship with those around them.

Much has been taught about the meaning of "love your neighbor as yourself," but even a first reading prompts us to measure the strength of our love of God by examining how we treat our neighbor.

The Bible is clear—we will be known as Jesus’ disciples by the way we love others. We will live out His good, pleasing and perfect will when we choose to reflect Him and not the world’s norms.

Radical, selfless, all-encompassing love for God and for others is the hallmark of everyone who claims God's name.

• As you look at the list—heart, soul, mind, strength, what is an area you have the chance to strengthen today? What is your first step?
• Love of God and love for our neighbors are intricately connected. How can your love for God express itself to your neighbor today? How can an act of love towards your neighbor deepen your love for God or your ability to love Him whole-heartedly?
• Are there areas where you have aligned your thoughts with the world rather than God? What have been the results?