The Whole 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.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40

The commandment is really very straightforward; we’re to love God first and then others. Love is what our Heavenly Father is all about; it is what motivates Him and draws us to Him as well. In His great love for us He has also called us to extend love to others which is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes I wonder if I even love God in a way that really pleases Him. Is your greatest desire is to love God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul and ALL your mind? Ask Him to search you and know you today. He’ll show you if your love for Him is lacking and He’ll guide you into a more perfect love for others as well. You’ll know you’re making progress when you begin to see others through God’s eyes of love. Shouldn’t our prayer always be ‘Teach me to love as You love, Lord, teach me to love’?

There is an old saying that goes something like this: God first, others second, self last. That may not be exactly the way it goes but you get the idea. He has set an example of perfect love for us by not even withholding His only Son; He gave it ALL because of love.