When Jesus was asked, ‘which command is the most important?’ his answer was two fold: To love God and to love others. On these two truths all other commands hang in the balance. We find in three separate accounts this question posed. In all three variations the first command offers to:
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 –
With this proclamation, we have been given the opportunity to love God. We should embrace the entirety of this gift.
The last tool listed in which to love God is the use our entire mind. For various reasons over the past number of years intellectualism which includes logic and rational thought has been frowned upon within the Church. I myself grasp the concept of heart and soul more aptly than I do the concept of strength or mind.
But, if one of these tools falls out of favor, out of use, then the whole of the gift falters. If we restrict our means of loving God, our love in fact suffers and is not whole. The love of the heart, if not accompanied by thoughts of the mind, is weakened causing the strength of the soul to fade. The apostle Paul concedes that knowledge puffs up; however he also advises to be mature in our thinking. Knowledge, thinking, logic, and the use of the mind is not the ends, but the means. The end is Love. The mind is simply a tool we can use to experience the Love of God.
We should not fear the mind. Thought is necessary for something greater – something fantastic – something unfathomable – Loving God and being Loved by Him.
What a great mystery connecting the heart and mind? How can we begin its exploration?
“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” Psalm 26:2
The Psalmist calls out in 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts…”
The Lord advises to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” Deut 11:18
This is echoed in Jeremiah 31 when God promises to place his law in the minds of his people; to write his law on their hearts. Again in Hebrews we are reminded of this testimony of the Spirit.
How are we to delve into the mighty ocean of thought while keeping our hearts pure?
Let’s look to Philippians 4 for advisement.
“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So Think. Ponder. Question. Inquire. Do not be afraid. Christ Jesus will guard your heart as well as your mind. The end is Love. Use every tool offered.
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