“…God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him.”
I John 4:16b
All too often in life we make things far more complicated than they need to be.
The same is true of our walk with God.
Jesus put it this way:
“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 22:37-40
What was Jesus saying when he made the last statement? What does it mean to say that all the law and the prophets ‘hang’ on these two commandments? Well, I don’t think it is over-simplifying to say that if you were to keep these two commandments then you have fulfilled all of the law and all that the prophets were sent to declare.
Of course, we are not able to; so Jesus came to die for our sin and to show us how to live by showing us the Father.
My main point is this – keep it simple!
Long ago I recall a song that had a simple phrase that asked:
“Jesus reduce me to love…”
Strip away all of the pretense, all of the presumptions, all of the complicated lists of ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’ and simply love God and love your neighbor. Oh, and while you are at it; love your enemies too.
Is that hard to do?
Yes, in our own strength it most certainly is.
That is why we have been emphasizing the importance of remaining in His presence.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him.”
I John 4:16b
All too often in life we make things far more complicated than they need to be.
The same is true of our walk with God.
Jesus put it this way:
“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 22:37-40
What was Jesus saying when he made the last statement? What does it mean to say that all the law and the prophets ‘hang’ on these two commandments? Well, I don’t think it is over-simplifying to say that if you were to keep these two commandments then you have fulfilled all of the law and all that the prophets were sent to declare.
Of course, we are not able to; so Jesus came to die for our sin and to show us how to live by showing us the Father.
My main point is this – keep it simple!
Long ago I recall a song that had a simple phrase that asked:
“Jesus reduce me to love…”
Strip away all of the pretense, all of the presumptions, all of the complicated lists of ‘Do’s’ and ‘Don’ts’ and simply love God and love your neighbor. Oh, and while you are at it; love your enemies too.
Is that hard to do?
Yes, in our own strength it most certainly is.
That is why we have been emphasizing the importance of remaining in His presence.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love, lives in God, and God in him.”
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