Love God with all your soul

My soul is my personality, my emotional make-up, the way I'm wired, my way of thinking, my unique gifting - That which is essentially me, that makes me unlike anyone else. It is that part of me which makes me self-aware.

What does it mean to love God with all my soul?

It means that I have offered myself up as a living sacrifice to Him. It means that my life is characterised by the emotions of peace, joy, assurance of my acceptance in Christ, gratitude, patience, love, compassion and kindness.

It means that because He has revealed His love to me, my life is not filled with bitterness, hatred, fear, anxiety, revenge,  self-pity, selfishness and ingratitude.

How can I get to the place where my life looks a whole lot like Jesus', where "my soul cleaves to the Lord"?

By keeping my conscience tender. By being quick to repent when the Spirit reveals my sinfulness. By asking the Lord to fill me with His Spirit. By giving and receiving forgiveness. By receiving counsel from godly people. By receiving emotional healing. By entering into covenant fellowship with other Christians. By humility, teachability, trust, faithfulness and submission to God.

How can I understand how God has prepared me for my unique place in His kingdom?

A person who is "whole" in the Lord understands their unique gifting and can fulfil their calling and purpose.

An understanding of the "motivational gifts" as described in the scripture - Romans 12:5-8

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching, Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

Prophecy: (or Perceiver) One who declares the will of God, who keeps us centred on spiritual principles.

Ministry: (or Server) One who renders practical service, who keeps the work of ministry moving.

Teacher: One who researches and teaches the Bible, who keeps us studying and learning.

Exhorter: One who encourages personal progress, who keeps us applying spiritual truths.

Giver: One who shares material assistance, who keeps specific needs provided for.

Ruler: (or Administrator) One who gives leadership and direction, who keeps us organised and increases our vision.

Merciful (or Compassionate) person: One whoprovide personal and emotional support, who keeps us in right attitudes and relationships.

(Discover your God-given Gifts - Don & Katie Fortune, Chosen Books 2006)