THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your
heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest
commandment. A second is equally important:
'Love your neighbour as yourself" Matthew 22:37-38
Some years ago, around three
hundred whales were found stranded on a beach. Scientists speculated that the whales had been chasing sardines and became trapped in shallow water when the tide went out. Now that's an
amazing thing. By chasing little sardines, these gigantic creatures
were ultimately led to their doom. Many people waste their lives chasing
sardines, so to speak. They major on the minors and have no clear focus or
objectives in life.
But God tells us what should be the primary goal of
every Christian. If we can get our
priorities straight in this area, everything else will come together. In fact,
if we can get these two principles operating in our lives, then all the commandments of God will become a natural outflow
of our commitment to Him. What are these principles?
- You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
- Love your neighbour as yourself.
When Jesus
spoke these words, He was identifying what should be the focus of every person.
Essentially, He was saying that love is the basis for all obedience. If you
really love God, then you will naturally want to do the things that please
Him. In fact, if you would love God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your mind, and would love your neighbour as yourself, you would
never transgress a single commandment of God. What is your highest
priority in life? What is your greatest desire? Is it to please God? Then love
the Lord and love your neighbour.
Prayer: Ask the Lord to inspire love in your heart
for God and all people.
Scriptural Reading: Matthew 22:23-40
