The Greatest of these is Love

       

        This past Sunday I had the blessing to hear my Dad preach at our church. He shared on Matthew 22:37: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." In verse 36 a Pharisee, who was a lawyer, asked Jesus, "What is the greatest commandment in the law?" He wanted Jesus to tell him what the best way we can obey God.  

        Some may think the greatest thing we can do on earth is make sure we obey the 10 commandments or work hard in our jobs, or to love others. These are all good things, but according to Jesus the greatest thing we can do in His eyes is love Him.

        More than doing things for God, more than even serving others, God's greatest pleasure is when we serve HIS heart; when we minister HIS heart. Our Heavenly Father desires relationship. He desires an ongoing dialogue of love between Himself and His creation. Jesus is looking for a bride who seeks Him just because she loves to be with Him; just because she loves His presence. He delights to see our face and to hear our voice (Song of Songs 2:14). For our God, the best thing we can do is to love with all that we are: all of our emotions, our mind, and with all our resouces and abilities.

        The first century church of Ephesus (Revelation 2) was a church known for its works, their labor, their patience and the unwillingness to tolerate evil in their midst. Yet, Jesus held one thing against them: they had abandoned their first love. The fervent and passionate love they onced had for Jesus had weakened. 

        It is so easy to let our love grow cold. At times we get distracted with entertainment or aquiring material possessions, or even serving people. In God's eyes these are secondary things. God's desire is that our hearts would be an open channel of receiving His love and of us to give our love to Him.

So, with that said, I ask you now: what is the best way you can obey God? What is the best way you can please Him? May it be our dream and heart's desire to live a life loving God with every part of who we are.

-ASM