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Wednesday, February 25, 2015

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  Matthew 22:37-39
            Here we see Jesus quoting from the Old Testament regarding the first and greatest commandment given to man.  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Mark and Luke include the word ‘strength’. For some reason Matthew doesn’t.  Regardless, the point has been made; this is what man owes God; first and foremost to love Him.  If we love God we will be inclined to obey Him.  No, inclined isn’t a strong enough word.  We will be compelled to obey Him. We will be driven to obey Him.  If we truly love God in the Biblical sense we will strive to please Him in all we think, say and do.  Love fuels the fire in our hearts.  Love causes us to exhibit qualities that reflect our Lord; things like kindness, mercy, forgiveness, humbleness and selflessness. 
         The second greatest command is to love your brother.  This comes from Leviticus 19:18 which says “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” If we love our neighbor the way we love ourselves we will seek the welfare of those around us.  We will break out of our comfort zone and do for others just as Christ has done for us.  This is what we owe our fellow man.  This is how they will know we are followers of Christ, that we are not self-seeking, but rather selfless, having no regard for ourselves.  If God meets our every need, that should free us up to serve others, shouldn’t it?  Stop focusing on yourself and put your focus wholly on the Lord.  He is our hope and our salvation.  God alone can see us through this maze called life.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
References used:  The Peoples New Testament, Westminster John Knox Press (January 25, 2010) and Barnes Notes, Kregel Classics; 8th edition (June 30, 1962).