Jesus answered, “The most important one says: 'People of Israel, you have only one Lord and God. You must love him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.' The second most important commandment says: 'Love others as much as you love yourself.' No other commandment is more important than these.”
Observation
The man talking to Jesus really wanted to know what it is to please God and to live in His kingdom. He wasn't there to score points or to play theology He really wanted to know.
He also saw that love is more important than sacrifices and offerings. Our service to God is about a soft heart and not just about external performance.
Jesus said to him, “You aren't far from the Kingdom of God.” The kingdom of God was right there- this was the heart of Jesus' message. This man took the gospel on board and realised what it was about.
Application
In the end the message is still the same: love God and love people.
This is not to say that theology or doctrine does not matter. It is vital that we know the God we are commanded to love, for in the end everyone becomes like what they most love.
But most of the stuff that Christians argue about is not important to loving God. Most of he demands that churches make of people who want to love God are not important.
It is our love for God and each other that is important.
Prayer
Father let me love you more and more each day. Show me how to grow in love for you and for other people. Amen.
I was singing today - yes and probably scaring away thre birds while I was doing it. I was singing, "Create in me" and was giving a lot of thought to the part that goes, Restore to me the joy of thy salvation. Beautiful words!
ReplyDeleteIndeed they are.
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