By “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 22:36-40 ESV)
While describing the word love yesterday, I wrote this paragraph:
“Enduring Love: It has a new kind of ring to it as I sit this morning and ponder the meaning of love. Love bears with all difficulties, while patiently and kindly clinging to and rejoicing in the truth. Love does not insist on (it’s own way) being out from under whatever difficulty the providence of God has required for the day, the week, or the year. It does not become arrogant, believing it deserves something or some situation that is better. It does not envy the life or lifestyle of another. And love never, ever rejoices in wrongdoing.”
The greatest command in the Bible is for us to love God with an enduring love. What might this look like for us?
First, it would mean that amidst all of life's difficulties, trials, and heartbreaks, we would patiently and kindly bear under their weight by clinging to the truth; the truth of God's sovereign control over all of life. And the truth of Scripture promises. God is for me and not against me.
Second, it would mean that while we are patiently clinging amidst life's storms, we would not be looking up to heaven insisting on our own way. We may make our case before the throne room of God, but we would fall short of ever insisting on different circumstances.
Third, love toward God would never become arrogant and think that I deserve something or some situation better than I am currently receiving. Love is not arrogant.
The greatest command in the Bible is for us to love God with an enduring love. After all, hasn't he loved us through Christ this way? Shouldn't we go and do likewise?
Leading Family Devotions 