6 September | EVERYONE
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22: 37-40
The Lord Jesus, in His conversation with the Pharisees, summarized the Ten Commandments in two sentences and centered them on love. Love is the foundation of the law. From the perspective of love, God's law is summed up in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. The first four teach us to love God, and the last six express our love for our neighbor. It is necessary to understand that the basis and foundation of God's law is love. Otherwise, your Christian experience will be nothing more than a burden of obligations.
A typical case of someone who did not understand this matter is the rich young ruler. He thought he was keeping the commandments. If you looked at the outward expression, he might have kept them, but he did not love Jesus. So when the Master told him to sell what he had and follow Him, the young man left and never returned. Money occupied his heart, not Christ.
The observance of the commandments has value only when it is the result of love for Jesus. Obedience for simple obedience's sake may have moral but not spiritual value. Good behavior, for God, is only important when it is the fruit of love. That is why God warns, “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways” (Proverbs 23:26).
First your heart, then your obedience. Do not reverse the order. Now to reach this experience, it is sometimes necessary to suffer, to fail, to live while learning, falling and getting up. But keep advancing on the path despite difficulties and failures until we reach the understanding and full experience of the gospel.
Take Action
Have you already given your whole heart to Jesus? If you have done so, then walk in His ways and love will be the engine of your life. Sing "Two Commandments" (if possible, with your family).