Yesterday we hit on the most important commandment. Today we will hit the second, which is like it.
Matthew 22:34-40 – 34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:
36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Love your neighbor as yourself. Would we have the problems in this world that we now have if we were more concerned about others versus ourselves?
The answer is no. We’re sinful selfish creatures.
If two married people only cared 100% about the other person would that marriage fail? No.
If the people around you cared more about you and you cared more about them than you do yourself, what kind of world would it be?
You see this is how it was supposed to be before the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. The system received a short circuit.
Where did the phrases “I’m going to take care of number one”, or “I’m looking out for numero uno”, come from?
You think it came from God? Fwamp! That’s the sound of my wrong answer button.
Oh, here’s a classic, “God helps those who helps themselves.” Yikes.
Do I really even need to tear this one apart? This statement is so far from Love your neighbor it’s ridiculous.
So what’s the number one reason we fail at the second most important commandment?
Because it’s all about, ME! It’s about being S-E-L-F-I-S-H-!
My observation and what I see is this. The more were hooked into God the more we have victory over our sinful nature. Thus in this area, we start thinking a little less of ME, and a little more on the practice of caring about others.
In the last days the ME factor is rampant. There will be many scriptures and many posts coming in the future on this topic.
It is essential that we love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. It is also essential that we love others as much as we do ourselves. Why? Because the Lord didn’t request it, suggest it, or wish it. He commands it!