The Three Loves That Will Change Your Life

If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to live out your faith, Jesus gave us the answer in one powerful teaching. When asked which commandment was the greatest, He didn’t list all ten. Instead, He summed up the entire law in what I call the “Three Loves.” These aren’t just suggestions—they are foundational truths that can radically transform how we live, love, and relate to God, ourselves, and others.

Let’s take a closer look at these three loves and why they matter so much.

1. Love the Lord Your God with All Your Heart, Soul, and Mind

This is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). It’s not a casual kind of love—it’s a wholehearted, all-in devotion. Loving God with all your heart means making Him the center of your emotions and affections. With your soul? That’s your very being—your identity and will. And with your mind? That’s your thoughts, your reasoning, your daily decisions.

Putting God first means nothing else gets that top spot—not your job, not your goals, not even your family. It means releasing anything that tries to compete for His place in your heart. The truth is, many of us love God in word, but our actions don’t always show it. We try to fix things before we pray. We lean on people before we lean into His Word.

But when you truly love God first, everything else begins to fall into alignment. Peace enters the chaos. Clarity quiets confusion. And your life begins to reflect His kingdom on earth.

2. Love Yourself the Way God Sees You

Jesus says the second commandment is like the first: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). But let’s pause for a moment—how can you love your neighbor if you don’t know how to love yourself?

Now, this isn’t about vanity, pride, or putting yourself above others. It’s about seeing yourself as God sees you—valuable, chosen, worthy, and made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Loving yourself means letting go of shame and self-condemnation. It means no longer replaying every mistake in your mind like a broken record.

You are not your past. You are not your failures. You are God’s workmanship, created for good works (Ephesians 2:10).

So, what if today you started treating yourself with the same grace you offer to others? What if you stopped criticizing yourself and started declaring God's truth over your life? That’s where healing begins. That’s where transformation takes root.

3. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

The third love flows naturally when the first two are in place. When your relationship with God is right, and your identity is secure in Him, you begin to treat others differently. You show more grace. You forgive quicker. You listen with empathy instead of judgment.

Loving your neighbor isn’t just about being nice—it’s about living with compassion and integrity. It’s about releasing grudges, choosing peace over pride, and doing to others what you’d want them to do for you.

Yes, even the difficult people. Even the ones who’ve hurt you. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting, but it does mean freeing yourself from the bitterness that keeps you bound.

The Foundation of Real Faith

These three loves—God, self, and others—aren’t just a checklist. They’re the heartbeat of the Christian life. When we love God first, we find the strength to love ourselves rightly. And when we love ourselves through His lens, we’re empowered to love others authentically.

Jesus simplified the commandments not to make them easier, but to make them personal.

So today, reflect on your loves. Is God truly first? Do you see yourself the way He sees you? Are you letting love flow freely to those around you?

Let these three loves guide your walk, shape your words, and transform your heart.

Be blessed—and have a wonderful day.