LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD” AND “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ — Luke 10:27

Did you know that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day had more than six hundred man-made laws they were required to obey? The people couldn’t keep all those laws; it was impossible. Yet the rulers believed that those laws had to be obeyed in order to win God’s favor.

But Jesus summed up God’s Law with only two commands:

“LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD” AND “LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.”

He used a special, all-encompassing word for love, a word that includes everyone. We are to love our neighbors, He said, even though they may have a different color skin, ethnic background, or language; even though they look different, walk differently, or act differently. We are also to help our neighbors who are poor. The gospel of Christ has no meaning unless it is applied to those who are in need.

The Greek word for love that Jesus used implies action. It is not a passive word; it is an action word. We are to love by our actions. What will you do today to show God’s love by your actions?

Your Turn

Who is your neighbor? Keep your eyes open today for opportunities to share God's love in action!