“Love the Lord your God…”

This was a commandment given to the Israelites after being rescued from Egypt and traveling in the wilderness. They were getting ready to go back to Jericho and would win the battle with God’s help. They now needed a standard to live life by. They needed a focus to keep them close to God and out of trouble with each other each day. The command that has all of the commandment build into it…Love the Lord your God.

Built to Love

We are all built to love. It’s a powerful emotion that focuses our life on the object of our love. When we stand to get married, we pledge a promise to love. For better or worse, richer or poor, to love honor and (often omitted) obey. It is the love for one another that brings all the other commands and duties into action. The more we love, the more we want to do for our mate.  

My wife worked for Crisis Pregnancy’s Center for several years.  As a pregnant girl comes in thinking about an abortion, the goal is to have an ultrasound performed. Most every time the girl sees the baby, love is generated toward that child. Because of love, the mother will overcome many difficulties to protect and nourish that child. 

First & Greatest Commandment

In Matthew 22:36-40 a lawyer asked Jesus “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 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.”

All the laws of God are automatically wrapped in love for God and love for others. With these two loves focused in our lives, almost every situation would be dwelt with as God would have intended.  

Ignoring & Hating God has consequences

It is when we don’t love God that many problems and dangers come into our lives. Some people hate God. They blame God. That anger produces such hate and darkness around them, and it gives the demonic kingdom a new soul to destroy. Violence, jealousy, selfishness, rebellion, self-hate are all elements of misplaced love. Love of darkness. Love of self.  Love of stuff. Love of sin. This sinful focus only steals, kills, and destroys themselves and others around them. Pride and selfishness ignores God. They become their own God. No respect or honor to Almighty God except to ask for blessings and rescue. Life revolves around themselves. This self focus eventually brings about destruction of self and others.

Love of God Revival

We could use a revival of Love for God in today’s world. Such hate and violence in our streets and politics. What would happen if suddenly a mighty move of God’s presence comes down and repentance begins in the churches and places of power? What if love for God became our national focus? We would start to love one another no matter the political side, the race, or the confused sexual perversions. Healing would come to our cities because the Love of God would change our focus. 

“Lord, help each one of us to evaluate our love for you. How much do I love You? Your word says we should love you with all our hearts.” Is God my main focus of love? Do I declare my love for God? “Lord, help me to love you more. Help me to honor you more. Help me to focus on You rather than on me most of the day.” Love God more and your lightnside will grow bright red for all to see.

The next blog will deal with the added commandment “all our soul, mind, (strength).”