A couple of thoughts from Chapter 5 of Wiersbe's BE Mature book.
From Page 77-78, Wiersbe writes:
We only believe as much of the Bible as we practice. If we fail to obey the most important word—“love thy neighbor as thyself”—then we will not do any good with the lesser matters of the Word.
Consider the first and second of the great commandments as given by our Lord, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 22:35-40. Is there any race between them?
Love God / love your neighbor?
Consider the 10 commandments, which Jesus said hung on the two great ones.
Out of the 10 commandments, which are the most important?
Are there lesser ones, or any we can break?
Of course, the answer is, NO!
Exodus 20:3-17
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
The first 4 commandments reflect love of God and love for God;
The second 6 commandments reflect love of our "neighbor";
From Page 77-78, Wiersbe writes:
We only believe as much of the Bible as we practice. If we fail to obey the most important word—“love thy neighbor as thyself”—then we will not do any good with the lesser matters of the Word.
Consider the first and second of the great commandments as given by our Lord, Jesus Christ, in Matthew 22:35-40. Is there any race between them?
Love God / love your neighbor?
Consider the 10 commandments, which Jesus said hung on the two great ones.
Out of the 10 commandments, which are the most important?
Are there lesser ones, or any we can break?
Of course, the answer is, NO!
Exodus 20:3-17
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour's.
The first 4 commandments reflect love of God and love for God;
The second 6 commandments reflect love of our "neighbor";
Then on Page 77, Wiersbe writes:
Love enables us to obey the Word of God and. . .
Here's a challenge:
Do you really love God?
Remember this statement the next time some stranger ticks you off.
Remember this the next time a Christian brother or sister doesn’t behave or act according to you expectations or the way you think they should behave.
This chapter has reminded me that it is NOT an option to love others - it is very much a commandment like any other from God. As such, my love for God, which I'm always so quick to declare, is proved in my treatment of others.
This is a "search my heart moment". Is there anyone I hate? Is there anyone I favor over others because of what they offer me? Do I see others as God truly sees them? Or am I making excuses to not love them with the same sacrificial love as my God has loved me???
Oh God, empty me and give me the power and wisdom and discipline to practice what my Lord Jesus exhibited!
Love enables us to obey the Word of God and. . .
Here's a challenge:
Do you really love God?
Remember this statement the next time some stranger ticks you off.
Remember this the next time a Christian brother or sister doesn’t behave or act according to you expectations or the way you think they should behave.
This chapter has reminded me that it is NOT an option to love others - it is very much a commandment like any other from God. As such, my love for God, which I'm always so quick to declare, is proved in my treatment of others.
This is a "search my heart moment". Is there anyone I hate? Is there anyone I favor over others because of what they offer me? Do I see others as God truly sees them? Or am I making excuses to not love them with the same sacrificial love as my God has loved me???
Oh God, empty me and give me the power and wisdom and discipline to practice what my Lord Jesus exhibited!