What does it look like when we apply the command to love our neighbor as ourselves to a spouse? We are only human, but sometimes people treat spouses like they are supposed to fulfill them in a way that only God can. Love will not hold people to impossible standards.
Continue readingWhen interacting with the world, believers must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Anyone trapped in sin, if it is drug addiction, sexual sin, idolatry, or greed, will be defensive about their habit. The best approach is to focus less on the specific category of sin and instead on the person in need of salvation.
Continue readingIn Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus said the two greatest commandments are to, “love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength” (Deut 6:4-5), and “love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18). 1 Timothy 2:1-8 says to pray for all people and give thanks for them, including those in governmental authority. In verse 8 Paul says to do this “free from anger and controversy.” The government itself is an institution established by God, existing to maintain peace, and it’s for our benefit, as stated in Romans 13:1-7. However, it is made up of fallible and corrupt humans, so we must pray for them.
Continue readingOften, people seek vengeance and revenge for the injustices and wrongs committed against them by others, yet they desire mercy when they wrong others. If you are not willing to show mercy, then you should not expect mercy in your life (Lev 19:18, Matt 6:14-15, Col 3:13). True justice is given out by God (Deut 32:35, Prov 20:22, Prov 24:29), so believers should only respond in love, their enemies can be humbled into shame for how they treated others and repent. If they refuse, then God will condemn them. In the meantime, we must love our enemies (Prov 25:21-22, Matt 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-28, Rom 12:14-21).
Continue readingIs it possible to love and forgive people who hurt you and are enemies? Do you have to maintain a relationship with people who are enemies to love and forgive them?
Continue readingJesus said the greatest commandment was “to love God with all of your heart, soul, and strength” (Matt 22:34-40) In addition, Jesus said, “if you love me you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). It’s not possible to keep any of the commandments until you do the greatest one first.
Continue readingWhen asked by the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment, in Matt 22:34-40, Jesus replied, “Loving God with all of your heart, soul, and strength”. This is the “Shema” from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which states, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Additionally, it is said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
1 John 4:19 says we should love God because he first loved us. When did he first love us? John 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, the Messiah, and those who believe in him will inherit the blessing of eternal life. This eternal life is the fulfillment of the promise to restore humanity from our propensity to break God’s laws. This was made available because of God’s love for us.
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