Referenced Scriptures: Matthew 22:36-39, John 3:16, 2 Corinthians 12:9, James 3:9
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Thisis the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."(Matthew 22:36-39 ESV)
In Matthew 22:36-39 we see an conversation as Jesus is asked by the "religious folk" what is the greatest commandment. The response Jesus gave them (and us) is sobering. Jesus said that we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, soul, and mind. Now for most of us this is a given and not a difficult thing to do. I mean how can you not love God, when you truly understand all that He did just because He loves us (John 3:16)? So, check that one off, love God, got it. The next part is where I admittedly fall short even to this day from time to time. I am also supposed to love my neighbor as I love myself; what?! Is this seriously something that Jesus is saying is just as important as loving God?? Can I honestly say that I have love for those around me in the same way I love myself? Honestly, NO,I can’t say that I do; at least not all the time. I tend to get irritated way too much and I tend to allow my own circumstances and selfish desires to dictate how I react to people. That is just not right and I can pretty much guarantee that it does not please God. So if this is part of the greatest commandment how are we supposed to do it? There is only one way, through Christ.
I honestly believe that loving others as you love yourself is completely impossible to do if you firstdo not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Oh sure we can fool ourselves and even those around us, which is what I did for so many years of my life with people. I'd show love when they were around but the minute they were out of earshot I had something negative or condescending to say or think. It wasn't until I really began to seek God and press into the Bible that the love of Christ became real to me. Prior to this I was just your typical poster childfor a religion, "I go to church on Sunday, I don't swear, I read my Bible sometimes...My name is Eric Ferrera and I'm a Christian..." Imean come on how lame is that? It's not about any religion; it's about a relationship! That phrase has become pretty common church lingo nowadays andI've heard it my whole life, but it makes sense because that relationship is something tangible and very real to me now.
I urge you to examine your actions, motives and internal conversations with yourself. What is being said in the quiet places of your mind that only you and God can hear? Do your actions when dealing with others match what is going on inside? For a long time mine didn't. I had to get real honest with myself, answer some hard questions and admit that I was being fake and lying to those around me, myself and God. In the process of faking to love others I was completely overlooking another one of God's commands. I was now guilty of bearing false witness, or lying. Whoa! Talk about a wake-up call. Now through studying God's Word and prayer God is working this out in me. Now, I'm not saying that I love everyone all the time and I run around hugging people and handing out flowers and chocolates, but I am saying I am much more aware of how I treat those around me. Am I reacting out of love or out of frustration? This "awareness" is the Holy Spirit prompting me and guiding me to make the right choices when dealing with people. These "people" who are made in likeness of God Himself (James 3:9). I do still slip up sometimes and fail to react in love, but praise God that we know His grace is sufficient when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9).
It's a process people and it's in the process that we are fashioned and molded into the image of our wonderful Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. So don't give up, hang in there and stay close to God and His Word.
Take Care & God Bless,
-E
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