The Greatest Commandment
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. and the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31
Love is the foundation of the Christian life, and the more love that is in our hearts the closer we are to the Lord because God is love. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) What good is the Word if we don’t do what it says?
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28) The love in this verse is agape love, which means we love everyone on the planet, but we hate evil from Satan. As a Christian, we show kindness to everyone and if they are angry and refuse to listen, we simply walk away.
All the commands in the Word become natural when our heart is filled with God’s love. Love changes us and frees us from self, and places our heart on God and others. When we follow the Spirit by showing people Christ-like behavior with a compassionate, caring heart, then the Lord places emphasis on caring for us, filling our spiritual needs and our worldly needs. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33) This verse is a powerful promise of God, if we place him first by reflecting Christ, he promises our worldly needs will be provided.
Today, place emphasis on serving the Lord, being a light for Christ and know the Lord is with you. Love places our desire on knowing God and helping others, and things of the world become less important.
Pray: Lord, fill my heart with your love as I reflect Christ to the world. Your love frees me from self and places God and others first. In Jesus’ name, Amen