Love! (part 2 of 3)

Yesterday we noted what Jesus addressed as the most important commandment of the law. Though that is what related specifically to the question He was asked, Jesus did not stop there. Jesus went on to state the second greatest commandment as well.

We read. . .
“(31) ‘The second is this: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’” ( Mark 12:31 ESV)

This quotation was from Leviticus 19:18. According to Matthew’s account, Jesus stated the love for God and the love for others commanded in these texts was what formed a foundation on which rested “all the Law and the Prophets.” ( Matthew 22:40) Though Jesus was asked regarding the most important commandment, He didn’t stop there, but went on to give the second, seeming to imply we cannot stop with loving God even though that love rightfully goes deep! We also MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

To love God with the entire being would cause one to seek what pleases Him and to properly LOVE OTHERS will cause us to refrain from dishonest actions toward them and instead compel us to be considerate, kind, and respectful with regard to what is theirs. Paul referred to this love as the fulfillment of the law ( Romans 13:8 & 10; Galatians 5:14) while James referred to this command of how others are to be loved as the “royal law.” ( James 2:8) Even this second commandment was clearly portrayed as a significant one.

“You shall love your neighbor AS YOURSELF.” How deep is that love? Just like the love we are to have for God, our LOVE FOR OTHERS is not to be merely a surface thing. It is a love that is to go deep into the consideration of how we ourselves wish to be treated. We know how we want others to be toward us. We also generally seek to take good care of ourselves, providing what is needed to sustain our life. Do we take that into consideration as we interact with those around us?

According to Luke’s account, this one who questioned Jesus then wanted to justify himself by asking “who is my neighbor?” ( Luke 10:29) This provided the occasion for the parable of the good Samaritan. It strikes me that if we find ourselves either trying to justify or rationalize who we ought to love, that in itself may be an indication we do not yet know God’s love or how to love as we ought. As love is to touch every aspect of our being, love is to also be the basis for all our actions.

How well are we doing with this standard for LOVING OTHERS? Is SELF-LOVE an adequate basis by which to measure our LOVE FOR OTHERS? Lord willing we will address that more tomorrow. For now let us fully come to grips with the reality that LOVING GOD IMPLIES WE LOVE OTHERS ALSO. (note also 1 John 4:20-21) May that love have proper depth in our life.

Have a great day TREATING OTHERS AS WE WISH TO BE TREATED!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Love