I was on my way to work last week. Stop at a traffic light, behind a man in an almost broken car, who was trying to help a beggar at his window. This took a bit long as the light turn green.
The people behind me so wrapped up in their daily duties got so angry, hooting and carrying on for the man to drive – the one women over took – speeding past shouting at the man out her window – A man trying to do good, but receives hate from the world.
This event was so profound as just that morning I read in Mark 3 when Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath day and the Pharisees plotted to kill Him as He was not allowed to work or perform duties – These people so worried about their religion and laws than doing an act of love for someone.
I was shocked and quite saddened at the lack of sympathy and patience from so many people, as I realized that most people including myself are guilty of this common occurrence – especially with the beggars in SA.
We are all so wrapped up with our time, duties, daily chores that we miss the smallest opportunities to show love – and even get angry in the moment with someone trying to do good.
WHERE IS THE LOVE?
What is the greatest commandment?
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.’
A few examples of love:
- Marriage the most obvious one, husband and wife are affection, spend Time, are Intimate, build a relationship because there is love.
- Parents love their children
Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Good parents set boundaries and discipline their children because they want what is best for the child. (Thanks mom and dad)
- In the same way God loves us:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
There are many guidelines, truths, history and profound wisdom that God has given us because He loves us and knows what is best for us.
Only a very few times in the Bible the word RELIGION comes up (Like 7) – and most of these verses talk about religion in a negative way.
However, LOVE is mentioned 546 times (in the KJV) (According to Google)
Everyone is searching for love and everyone wants to be loved.
See a relationship with Jesus Christ has nothing to do with a religion – God did not intent for us to be a religious people but instead a people of love and relationship with Him.
If the greatest commandment is to love God – How do we show God love?
People spend time with God and reading His Word, show others love, some people dedicate their whole lives to preaching the Gospel, obey the teaching of the Bible and turn away from the sinful things of this world.
Because they have relationship and revelation of Jesus in all His Glory and how much HE loves us.
When we love God: We can read the following popular verses with so much more meaning and even excitement.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart..
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” the things God has prepared for those who love Him- these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God..
If everyone followed the greatest commandment of loving God with everything and the second commandment – loving your neighbor as yourself this world would be a different place
– marriages would last
– there would no hurt, no pain, no selfishness, no corruption… list goes on.
Simple isn’t it?
So I want to leave you with this question – What or who do you LOVE in your life?