Refer Back
Reading: Matthew 22:34-39, “34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” [NIV]
Have you ever heard the saying or read a t-shirt or coffee mug on which it was printed, “Rule #1: I am always right. Rule #2: if you have any questions, simply refer back to rule number 1”? God knows us so incredibly well… He, in His infinite wisdom, already knows exactly what we need to get us where we need to go and how to get there. I look at these verses in the same way as the previous saying, because once you get to command #2, “love your neighbor as yourself” all you have to do is refer back to command #1. Command #2 is simply a reminder. Because if you truly are loving God with all of your heart and all of your soul and all of your mind, it does not leave room for anyone else, except for God. Yet, God knows that if you do that you will, without a doubt, love your neighbor as yourself… because He will produce that in you. So, loving your neighbor as yourself is a great gauge as to your level and holistic love for God. So, let’s test that a little bit.
Do you love your neighbor as yourself?
… even the guy at work that drives you up a wall? …even the person that cut you off on the road? …even the neighbor that is constantly loud or has annoying pets or children? Do you love them as you love yourself?
How do you demonstrate your love for yourself?
How can you demonstrate your love for your “neighbor” today?
End of the Day Review
How were you able to demonstrate your love for your “neighbor” today?
What was their response?
How did it impact you or make you feel?
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