How can a human love God with “all thy heart and all thy soul?” Is it even possible with our sin nature?

That is an excellent and profoundly important question — one that strikes at the heart of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Jesus’ own words in Matthew 22:37:

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Let’s look at this through a conservative Baptist, Scripture-centered lens.

1. The Command Is Divine — Not Optional

When God commands us to love Him “with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,” He reveals His rightful claim over every part of our being.

• Heart refers to our inner affections, desires, and will.

• Soul encompasses our life, purpose, and devotion.

This is not a suggestion — it is the very essence of the first and great commandment (Matthew 22:38). God deserves total love because of who He is: the Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer of life.

2. The Command Exposes Our Inability

Because of the fall, man’s heart is corrupt by nature:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9).

Our sin nature means that, apart from divine help, we cannot love God in the way this command requires. The law reveals our failure and drives us to grace. Romans 7:18 says,

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.”

The command therefore functions both as a mirror to show our sin and as a teacher to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

3. The Command Is Made Possible Through Regeneration

What man cannot do in the flesh, God accomplishes in the new birth.
When a sinner is saved, the Holy Spirit gives him a new heart:

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you” (Ezekiel 36:26).

The love of God is not something we muster — it is “shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” (Romans 5:5). Only a born-again believer can begin to love God sincerely and spiritually.

So yes — it is possible, but only because of God’s grace working within us.

4. The Command Is Progressive in Practice

Even after salvation, we still wrestle with the flesh. Paul lamented,

“When I would do good, evil is present with me” (Romans 7:21).

Loving God “with all” our heart is a lifelong pursuit, not a one-time achievement. Sanctification deepens that love through obedience, prayer, and daily surrender. As we walk in the Spirit, our affections grow more aligned with His will (Galatians 5:16-17).

5. The Command Finds Its Fulfillment in Christ

Jesus alone perfectly loved the Father with all His heart, soul, and mind. Through His obedience, we have both an example and an advocate. When we fail, His righteousness covers us:

“For he hath made him to be sin for us… that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Thus, while our love is imperfect, it is accepted in Christ — because God sees us through His Son.

Summary:

• The command is righteous. God deserves total devotion.

• Man is unable. Sin has corrupted the heart.

• Grace enables. The Spirit gives a new heart that can love God.

• Growth continues. Love deepens through daily surrender.

• Christ completes. Our imperfect love is perfected in Him.

Practical Application

1. Confess the struggle honestly. God knows our weakness.

2. Ask for renewed love. Pray as David did: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”

3. Obey even when feelings falter. Love is shown through obedience (John 14:15).

4. Meditate on Calvary. The more we behold His love for us, the more our hearts respond with love for Him (1 John 4:19).