Commanded to love...

When asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Mark 12:28-31

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:34

He offers a free gift. You only need to accept it.

Our works are not going to save us. Nothing we do can ever be good enough, with the exception of accepting His free gift. Christ showed His love for us in His ultimate sacrificial work to save us from our sins. We can rest in the freedom this gift offers.

That freedom is not a "get out of work" pass. John 14:15 reminds us that if you love Christ, you will keep His commandments. What are His greatest commandments? First, we are to love God with all our heart (character / will), soul (life), mind (thoughts), and strength (ability). Second, we are commanded to love one another as Christ loves us.

That is not a command to be fond of one another. It is a command to show our love by sacrificially serving one another. We are blessed to be a blessing.  You have been uniquely designed to serve. Have you found the avenue of service that breathes life into you? Please do tell us about it.

Father,

Shape my character, my life, my thoughts, my deeds to reflect Your love to others. Show me the opportunities to use my abilities in service to You and give me the courage to act.

-Me