Bible Verses About Loving God First: Returning to First Love
Quick Answer: The bible verses about loving god first call believers to place God above every competing desire. Jesus teaches that loving God with heart, soul, mind, and strength is the first and great commandment. When devotion fades, Revelation warns to remember, repent, and do the first works—so love becomes your daily priority again.
If your love for God feels distant, these passages are not meant to shame you—they are meant to restore you. Jesus clearly defines what “first” means: loving the Lord with your whole inner life and your whole life in action. And when we drift, God’s Word does not stay silent. Revelation 2:4-5 shows that He notices when we “left” our first love, and it invites us back through remembering, repentance, and returning to the first works. Loving God first is not a vague idea; it is a daily posture of the heart. The first and great commandment reveals God’s priority. And repentance and renewed devotion keep faith from becoming routine. Let these verified words guide you into a fresh, wholehearted love—beginning today, not someday.
At a Glance — Verses in This Article
Matthew 22:37-38
Mark 12:30
Revelation 2:4-5
Bible Verses
Matthew 22:37-38 (King James Version)
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.”
This verse teaches that loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is the first and great commandment.
Mark 12:30 (King James Version)
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
Here Jesus expands love to include all your strength, showing devotion is both inward and outward.
Revelation 2:4-5 (King James Version)
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
This passage warns against leaving first love and calls believers to remember, repent, and do the first works.
3) Turn Commandment Into Communion: Making Devotion Practical
Jesus’ command and Revelation’s call work together like a doorway. The command shows you what love looks like. The warning shows you what happens when love is neglected. Together they teach that loving God first is both a truth to obey and a relationship to keep.
Start by asking what your life currently proves about your priorities. Are your thoughts often pulled toward God, or only when you have time left? Is your mind engaged with Scripture, or mostly with whatever fills your feed? Are your choices shaped by reverence, or by convenience?
Then move from questions to steps. Choose one area of love to restore today:
– With your heart: spend time in honest prayer, asking God to deepen affection.
– With your soul: dedicate your purpose back to God—ask Him to align your life with His will.
– With your mind: take time to meditate on God’s ways and let your thinking change.
– With your strength: use your energy for what honors God—service, discipline, and faithful consistency.
Revelation reminds you that first love is not maintained by wishful thinking. It is maintained by return. When you “do the first works,” you are not trying to earn God’s acceptance; you are practicing the devotion that keeps love alive.
In this way, you stop treating faith as a sporadic activity and begin treating it like a first priority—something that shapes your schedule, your speech, and your direction.
Loving God first also becomes contagious in your home and community. When God is truly first, you carry His steadiness into conversations. You respond with patience. You forgive with purpose. You serve without needing credit.
Let loving God first be more than a theme. Let it become your daily rhythm—remembering what God requires, repenting when you drift, and doing what keeps love fresh.
Daily Plan to Love God First (Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength)
Try this simple practice for the next seven days. The goal is not perfection; it is return.
1) Begin with remembrance. Ask God to show you where you may have “left your first love.” Be specific. Maybe it’s less time in prayer, less worship, or less obedience. This step prepares your heart to remember.
2) Pray with direct love. Use Jesus’ words as your guide. Tell God, “I want to love You with all my heart, soul, and mind,” and ask Him to renew your affections and focus. Then add, “Lord, guide my strength—my time, my energy, my choices.” This is how you apply loving God first with all your mind and strength.
3) Do one “first work” on purpose each day. Examples: read Scripture with attention, worship for five focused minutes, write out a prayer request, or serve someone quietly. Keep it manageable and consistent. Revelation’s call to do the first works means love becomes real when you practice it.
4) End with repentance and recommitment. If you notice drift, respond quickly: repent, not later. Ask God to redirect your heart back toward Him.
5) Watch for fruit. Over time, you’ll likely notice that your decisions become easier to make—because your “first” priority is clearer. Your mind begins to align with God’s command, and your strength follows your convictions.
Remember: loving God first is built by daily returns, not by occasional inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best bible verses about loving God first?
Jesus teaches that loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind—and with all your strength—is the first and great commandment. Revelation also warns to remember where you fell, repent, and do the first works again. Together, these show both the priority and the path back.
How can I return to my first love when my feelings have faded?
Revelation 2:4-5 shows God’s method: remember where you have fallen from, repent, and do the first works again. That means rebuilding habits—prayer, worship, and obedience—so love is renewed through action, not just emotion.
How do I love God first with my heart, soul, mind, and strength?
Let your heart desire God, your soul follow His purpose, your mind focus on His will, and your strength serve Him in real choices. Jesus’ words in Matthew and Mark clarify that love is whole-life: inward devotion expressed through outward obedience.
Does loving God first mean I neglect everything else?
Loving God first doesn’t mean ignoring responsibilities; it means ordering them under God’s love. When your whole inner life and your strength are directed toward Him, daily duties gain purpose and you serve others from a place of devotion rather than misplaced priorities.
A Short Prayer
Lord, You are worthy of first place. Teach my heart to love You with sincerity, my soul to trust Your purpose, my mind to focus on Your ways, and my strength to serve You faithfully. If I have left my first love, bring me back through remembering and true repentance. Give me grace to do the first works again, daily. Keep my lamp lit with renewed devotion, for Your glory. Amen.
Key Takeaway: Loving God first is wholehearted devotion of heart, soul, mind, and strength—renewed whenever you remember, repent, and return to the first works.
Por Fernando Ortiz 
