Scripture
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Reflection
The Greek for “love” in this verse is not phileo, which means friendly affection, but agapao, the commitment of devotion that is directed by the will and can be commanded as duty. Jesus is telling us that the greatest commandment is that we are to love God holistically – with our heart, mind and soul. At that time, religious leaders preached the importance of doing things as the ultimate expression of piety. Jesus proclaimed (using Old Testament scripture) that those are things secondary to God’s primary desire for our lives, which is that we lovingly submit to Him from the inside, with the full understanding that our outward behavior will be an extension of our inward state.
Are you fully in love with God such that your He has captured your heart, mind and soul? Are you a holistic faith or are there areas of your life which Christ has not yet penetrated fully? If there are, open up yourself to Him in trustful prayer and ask that the Holy Spirit continue the good work of sanctifying all parts of your life so that you are fulfilling the greatest commandment (Charlie).
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God, Jesus and man?
- What do you feel God is telling you through these passages?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you can share this message with?
Prayer
Pray for the nation of China.
