Keeping things given to us by God simple, even though we live in a very complicated world.

Sunday, August 19, 2007

The Greatest Command

This morning's church service was the worship service since Pastor Wesley's funeral. He had passed over the main pastoring to his son, Jeff several years ago and Wes was serving in the Assistant Pastor capacity from then until he went home with the Lord last Sunday morning.

The message today was from Matthew 22, where one of the Pharisees asked Jesus a question; "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?"

37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38This is the first and great commandment.

39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40 KJV

Sometimes we don't get it as far as the love part is concerned. If you check out the 10 commandments it's broken down this way: the first set of commandments tell us how we should love God, the other set tells us how we should love one another.

God loves us so much that he bankrupted heaven to come to earth and pay the penalty for our sins. We, as humans have a problem showing love towards other, even the brotherly love we get the name "Philadelphia" from. God wants us to love one another with the love he describes through the apostle Paul in 1st Corinthians 13. I linked up King James version of that chapter, but you can go to the drop bar and switch to a version you are familiar with.

That love is translated from the Greek word agape, which is the love you can get only from God himself.

I was thinking about this while sitting in church this morning. Most folks who read these words will never come face to face with me in this lifetime, but I love(agape) all those who read these words and want you to be with me in heaven. Click here for the plan of salvation from Billy Graham's web site. (Also remember to pray for Dr. Graham as I saw he was hospitalized yesterday.)

Those who know Jesus as their savior, pray that His love shines through you and others who see this message. And pray the same for me.

1 comment:

Pilgrim said...

Im praying for you Brother.