So you must carefully do exactly what the Lord your God commands you. Don’t deviate even a bit!
MATTHEW 5:37-39 (CEV)
Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.”
Loving God and others isn't just a romantic ideal or an aspiration for some day in the future.
DAILY FODDER
Which is more of a challenge for you — loving God with everything you are or loving others with the same energy you put into looking out for yourself? Should you prioritize one over the other?
PRAYER
Thank you, God, for caring enough to give us instructions for living in harmony with you. I admit that I tend to speed read and gloss over a lot of the detail — especially when the details in the Bible stretch me. Keep encouraging me to grow in my love for you and my neighbors. My aim is to become an obedient and loving follower of Christ Jesus — through whom this is all possible. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
