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.”
Mathew 22:37-40 NIV
To love God with all that I am. And to love others as I do myself. Just imagine what the world would be like if all of us did that. So much of our government is devoted to writing and enforcing laws and regulations. Laws that would be totally unnecessary if all of us loved our neighbor as ourselves. There would be no need for a military. Police departments could be reduced to responding to accidents. Taxes would be greatly reduced. No one would be hungry, homeless, or abused. Life would be good for all.
Love God and Love Others
But, even though life would be better for all if we did that, we generally do not. We are, as a whole, self-centered and more concerned about ourselves than others. Especially those who are not a part of our group. Only if we first love God with all that we are can we, in turn, love those around us with self-giving love. The world as a whole will never do this. But, for those who claim Jesus as Lord, obeying this greatest commandment is what we should strive for. Even if those around us find no value in it. Love the Lord your God with all that you are. And, in turn, love others that you come into contact with. Make a difference in your part of the world.
