2 Corinthians 7:1 commands turn away from everything wrong, whether of body or spirit, and purify ourselves, living in the wholesome fear of God, giving ourselves to Him alone.

What does it mean to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength? The Word of God recorded through His Apostle Paul puts some meat on that bone in this verse.

First, we are to turn away from everything wrong, whether of body or spirit. Who decides what is right and wrong? The media/culture tells us what they think is wrong. Our own experience, hearts and minds tell us what is right and wrong. Who knows what is right and wrong? God Who is righteous defines what is right and wrong in His sight through the Scripture. It is this definition and none other that God will use to judge people. We must be diligent students of the Bible if we are to know true right and true wrong so we can truly obey God.

Second, we love God by fearing God in a wholesome way. What is that? God is love but God is also holy, He is both. The holiness of God destroyed the world except for Noah and his family. The holiness of God destroyed Israel including the temple and the ark except for a small remnant. The holiness of God crucified the Son of God for the sin of humanity despite His appeal for an alternative means. The holiness of God will send to hell all those who have not repented from sin and submitted themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. God loves us so created the heavens and the earth. God loves us so choose a people through whom He would reveal Himself. God loves us so sent His Son to Save us. God loves us so will create a new heaven and new earth for His children to live forever with Him. The love of God does not negate the holiness of God and the fear of God reminds us of the eternal consequences of disobeying God.

Finally, we are to live for God alone. What does that mean? What is our purpose, what are we really living for? Is the Kingdom of God and His will being accomplished on earth as it is in heaven receive our best time, talent and treasure or does God receive our leftovers?

If God is first and foremost in our lives our time, talent and treasure will reflect that or those things will reflect what is first and foremost in our lives.

It is not hard to understand what it means to love God but it is certainly another thing to do it.