COMMANDS1 (Summary): Goodbook 01-07-14

Introduction:

One of our challenges for 2014 is to learn and live all 50 commands of Jesus.  Jesus told us that following his commandments is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill our lives (John 15:9-12).  In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20).  So each week in this year we are learning and living one command of Jesus.  Here is our command for this week...

Week 1:

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating.  Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"  "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  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.'  There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:28-31).

Application:

The thought of learning and living 50 commands might sound overwhelming.  But really, it all boils down to only two commands.  Jesus provides a wonderful summary of all his commands, as well as all the other commands in the bible.

1. Love God - Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2. Love Others - Love your neighbor as yourself.

Every command we will look at this year will fall into one of these two categories: "Love God" or "Love Others."  In fact, they break up evenly!  There are 25 commands related to loving God and 25 related to loving others.

Here is an application step as we begin this journey:

Memorize Mark 12:30-31.  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.  Love your neighbor as yourself." 

Memorizing Scripture is a great way to love God with our mind and our strength, and this helps lodge the Word of God deep in our heart and in our soul.  So read, repeat, and reflect on this phrase until it becomes a part of you.  This is the essence of the commands.  In the weeks to come, we will learn specific commands that teach us HOW to love God and love others.

As you read, repeat, and reflect on this verse, you may think of ways you can begin living this out.  Please comment and share your application ideas.  Let the journey begin!