Father, Son and Spirit I seek you desperately this morning as my source of life today.
“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God. And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.” (Mark 12:28-34)
Jesus, when asked which commandment was the most important and greatest, you did not pick one of the 10 Commandments. You chose two commandments from Leviticus and Deuteronomy, commands to love God with all my heart and to love my neighbors as I love myself. And You combined these two commandments into one command, for they are inseparable. In this last questions and answer time before the cross, You made it clear of the importance and what is at the core of Your ministry; it is all about love.
Paul affirmed this,“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)
In the Ten Commandments, the first 4 are directed towards our relationship to God, the last 6 are directed towards our relationship with others. If I have a heart of love towards God I will not follow any other gods. If I have a heart of love towards everyone around me, I can’t steal, lie, gossip, covet, or hurt them. If I have a heart of love, I don’t have to worry about what all the laws are and if I am keeping them all, love is the fulfilling of all the laws. All I need is love.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
My family, I pray today you will meditate on the condition of you heart and embrace Jesus and allow Him to fill your heart with His love, so with the love you receive you can love God, love everyone around you, and people will know you are a disciple of Jesus. All we need is love in Jesus’ name. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
Please share your thoughts and reflections in the comment box below.
Gary Liederbach- Lead Follower
One Direction Community
Email: garyl@onedirection.community
Website: https://www.onedirection.community
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Thank You!