Words by Chad Hayes | Image by Ryan McGill
And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:35-40 (ESV)
What is most important in life: family, friends, faith, money, possessions, work, success, fame, or social media followers? In February—the month of love—we should stop and ask ourselves, “What matters most?”
An expert in the law once asked Jesus a form of this question. His response is simple but profound, and worthwhile for us to consider. Referencing Deuteronomy 6—a confession of faith known as the “Shema” that devout Jews recite twice a day— Jesus said that loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself is what matters most.
You may ask, “How do we love God?” First, love is communicated through time with Him in prayer, in the Scriptures, and in worship. If we truly love God, we will crave time with Him. The Psalmist expressed this idea: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)
Worship, or meeting with God, should include both individual and corporate worship. I talked with someone recently who said he was a Christian but had not been to church in years because Sundays were his time to relax at home. If we really love God, we will desire to worship with other believers.
We should also regularly examine how we spend our time. How much time do we spend scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or a thousand other things versus time with God? If you are like me, that question is very convicting. The times in my life when I neglect loving God and spending quality time with Him are the times when I am most selfish, sinful, and hurtful towards those closest to me. Therefore, time with God must be my life’s top priority.
Love for God is also demonstrated by obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15 (ESV)
Also consider: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them.” 1 John 2:3-5 (NIV)
That’s the first commandment. What about the second? When Jesus outlines the second greatest commandment, he references Leviticus 19:18 and instructs us to love others as we love ourselves. He intends a healthy love of self here, not one that is selfish or self-serving. If we truly love God, we will also love others.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we should also love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:7-9, 11-12 (NIV)
Reread the last verse and ask yourself, “Do others see the love of God in how you and I treat them?” I know there have certainly been times when I’ve fallen short of this mark. Still, we must continue to press in and make treating people with the kindness and love of Jesus a daily habit.
This week, I attended the funeral of the wife of a long-time friend. She died unexpectedly and was in her mid-fifties. Thankfully, she was a follower of Christ, so we know she is with Him, but she leaves behind her husband and children. This tragic event reminded me that life is short, and time with our friends and family is precious and fleeting, so we should not delay in telling and showing others you love them!
What matters most? Jesus made it clear: loving God and loving others. May that be our focus today and every day of our lives.
By His grace, Chad
