Someone introduced a basic IRS tax from a few years ago. It consisted of two lines: (1) How much did you make?; (2) Send it in.
Sometimes God's Law seems about as complicated as government tax codes. If you've ever spent much time in the Book of Leviticus (believe it or not; I once knew a man who claimed this was his favorite Bible book), you'll know that God is very meticulous and specific in what He requires. But, is the bottom line ritualistic purification procedures, and specific animal and food sacrifices? Apparently not, according to Jesus:
"What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, `HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The second is this, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
One astute scribe grasped the significance of Jesus' words and elaborated his understanding; to which Jesus replied, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Mark 12:34) So, apparently we are not far from the Kingdom of God when we understand the priority of wholehearted love for God and our neighbor. And these two great commandments are really one - "There is no other commandment (singular) greater than these." Apparently love for God and love for neighbor are one commandment, inseparably bound.
So, what's not to understand? But, the real rub is actually doing what is so easy to understand.
Love finds avenues for expression. That's the great possibility of worship: if love is the motivation, then a dynamic encounter with our Creator is a very real possibility. A well-rehearsed, finely-tuned worship service is no guarantee of worship if love does not motivate.
Love is difficult to explain, but easy to express. Complicated manuals and procedures are unnecessary in explaining how to love someone; when love is present expression will follow.
Loving the Creator and the creation go hand in hand. Quite frankly, it's easier to love the Creator. Often His creation is more temperamental, and, well; unlovely. But loving the perfect Creation is inseparably linked with loving His imperfect creation.
Love can certainly be a challenge, but the good news is that we are not asked to initiative love; only reciprocate (1 John 4:10). The capacity to love is our God-given birthright.
May deep gratitude and appreciation for your Father be the wellspring of love that expresses itself today in loving acts toward Him and those He has created.
Steve
Sometimes God's Law seems about as complicated as government tax codes. If you've ever spent much time in the Book of Leviticus (believe it or not; I once knew a man who claimed this was his favorite Bible book), you'll know that God is very meticulous and specific in what He requires. But, is the bottom line ritualistic purification procedures, and specific animal and food sacrifices? Apparently not, according to Jesus:
"What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, `HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The second is this, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31)
One astute scribe grasped the significance of Jesus' words and elaborated his understanding; to which Jesus replied, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." (Mark 12:34) So, apparently we are not far from the Kingdom of God when we understand the priority of wholehearted love for God and our neighbor. And these two great commandments are really one - "There is no other commandment (singular) greater than these." Apparently love for God and love for neighbor are one commandment, inseparably bound.
So, what's not to understand? But, the real rub is actually doing what is so easy to understand.
Love finds avenues for expression. That's the great possibility of worship: if love is the motivation, then a dynamic encounter with our Creator is a very real possibility. A well-rehearsed, finely-tuned worship service is no guarantee of worship if love does not motivate.
Love is difficult to explain, but easy to express. Complicated manuals and procedures are unnecessary in explaining how to love someone; when love is present expression will follow.
Loving the Creator and the creation go hand in hand. Quite frankly, it's easier to love the Creator. Often His creation is more temperamental, and, well; unlovely. But loving the perfect Creation is inseparably linked with loving His imperfect creation.
Love can certainly be a challenge, but the good news is that we are not asked to initiative love; only reciprocate (1 John 4:10). The capacity to love is our God-given birthright.
May deep gratitude and appreciation for your Father be the wellspring of love that expresses itself today in loving acts toward Him and those He has created.
Steve
posted by steve @ 9:33 AM
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