July 28
Mark 12:28-34
Man, poor Jesus keeps getting grilled. It seems like the past several lessons have all dealt with Jesus answering some one's question. This time the question was, what is the greatest commandment? This questions seems weird to me. It's as if we're supposed to prioritize the commandments so that we make sure we follow the important ones. Of course, that is not the case. All of God's commandments are important, and we need to follow ALL of them. However, Jesus does answer this questions and tells us that the most important is to love God, and then to love everybody else. What makes this the most important? Well, I think it's because we can't really be following the other commandments unless we are loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. If we have that love, then everything else falls into place. In Romans 13:8-10 it says, "Owe nothing to anyone - except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law. For the commandments say, 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.' These - and other such commandments - are summed up in this one commandment: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God's law." So, I guess someone could argue that if this is the most important commandment, then its the one we really need to follow. The cool part is, when we are following this one, we are following them all.
Principle: To love God first and completely and to love one's neighbor as oneself is more important than any other commandment or religious practice.
Application:
1. In what ways will I show my love to God today?
2. What evidence is there in my life that I am putting God first?
3. Where am I giving mental or verbal assent to this truth of loving others without really showing that love to those I see daily?
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An important truth to keep in mind is that Jesus defined love for God in terms of how much we obey His commands. John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. Lord, may my love for you be more than words. May I show my love by submitting to your will.
ReplyDeleteI'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the ways things appear
You're looking into my heart
--Matt Redman
I love today's reminder. I can remember a time in my life where I placed reading my Bible and praying above loving. On vacations with my family, I would get so annoyed if someone didn't give me uninterrupted time to study God's Word. Then I realized that by being rude to my parents and brothers, I really was missing the heart of spending time with God. Today, I feel another heart check coming on. . . God do I believe some practice or something makes me more like you than loving those around me?
ReplyDeleteBefore we were saved, Rick and I traveled the USA in a small RV. We were gone from home for over 3 years. Before we left, our family gathered to say goodbye, but a favorite aunt was missing. She was at church and I wondered why she didn't want to say goodbye. I think sometimes our priorities for "Church" can seem more important than demonstrating Gods love. I don't mean to be judging her, she probably had a commitment that she could not find a replacement for, but it left a non-Christian feeling very funny about "church"
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