Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40
- Jesus says very clearly that love is to be the standard by which we live.
- Not an easy task - a more difficult calling than if He had said “Live according to the laws of Moses” or “Keep your neighbor in line as you keep yourself in line.”
- Loving God and others calls us out of our comfort zone, and into an atmosphere of unnatural patience, peace, and kindness toward others along with a supernatural submission to the Father.
- Big picture sounds great, what about day to day living?
- I’ve heard of a tactic used - with every thing and everyone you interact with, picture Jesus is standing between the two of you. Everything is going from you through Jesus then into the person. Think of Christ as a conduit for your words and actions.
- Another good strategy is to memory verses on love and interacting with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Read through a passage of the Bible before you start your day. Try to start out each day with the right perspective on things.
- When you’re working - what mindset should you have? Love. Know that whatever you put your hands to has potential to bring glory to God and reward to you.
- When you have downtime don’t fall into spiritual downtime as well.
- Show love through honoring others.
- Show your love for God through obeying Him and taking encouragement from Him.
- If there’s some type of physical reminder that would help you, take advantage of it.
- WWJD bracelets, a necklace, some form of jewelry, business card format, poster, etc
- Most important for living with love as a standard:
- Walking with the knowledge that you are genuinely loved by God the Father, and have been blessed with the honor of being considered His child. Know that though Him you have authority and power, and have been called out of living by trudging through the norm.
- Love as you first have been loved!
P.S. Deep apologies for the embarrassingly late post.
ReplyDeleteWell Done, Emily. The "Keep Your Neighbor in Line" point was very entertaining. The "downtime" example is, I think, very effective. I will say, though, that it may be difficult to actually give this sermon (Or perhaps it's just that the bullets confuse me). Second criticism: you are getting too good! I have nothing else to criticize.
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