Love God. Love Neighbor

            The two greatest commandments in the Bible are to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). Surprisingly though, I feel they are the most overlooked commandments in many of our Christian circles.

            John 13:34-35 states, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (NIV). This is a passage that the Holy Spirit constantly whispers to my soul.

            Jesus didn’t tell His disciples that people will know that they follow Him by their perfect church attendance or how much money they give to church. He didn’t tell them that people will be drawn to God through how many church committees they are on or even how many mission trips they have been on. Jesus didn’t tell His disciples that the lost will know that they are Christ’s disciples through their eloquent speech or prayers.

            They will be known by their love.

            Not the kind of love that we use to describe our love for chocolate or our pet dog. It’s not the kind of love that we fall into only to fall out of one day when that significant other turns out to be less than perfect and disappoints us.

            The type of love that Jesus speaks of is life-giving. His love is willing to climb on a cross and pour out His blood for a people who would never think of Him if He didn’t reveal Himself to them. His love is absolutely patient. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 to catch a glimpse of this kind of love.

            His love gives sacrificially to those in need and doesn’t care about a return. His love sees a man on the side of the road in filthy rags and really sees a man with a story waiting to be unfurled, so He feeds that man and gives Him the Bread of Life.

            Jesus’ love that will prove we are His followers and draw more people to His glorious name is a love that will do anything to give people a new life in Him.

            His love does not forsake; it heals.

            So, stop worrying about all of the “churchy” stuff such as church attendance or verse memorization as your way to show people you know God. Knowing God’s Word is essential and fellowship with other believers is as well, but if we have not love, how will people know that God loves them?

            Love God and neighbor. It’s that simple.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas