This is Jesus speaking to us, today, “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I DON’T NEED A THING!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Rev. 3:17) Self-sufficiency can cause the death of our relationship with God, for independence of God is sin. “You desire but do not have, so you KILL. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you QUARREL and FIGHT. You do not have because you DO NOT ASK GOD.” (Jam. 4:2)
Paul teaches us that, “Godliness with contentment is GREAT GAIN. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can TAKE NOTHING out of it.” (1 Tim. 6:6-7) All of this that we QUARREL, FIGHT and KILL for will keep us out of heaven! How can I say something like that? John says, “…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.” (1 John 4:7-8)
Jesus explained it this way, “…an expert in the law, tested Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself.’” (Matt. 22:35-39) And just in case we forget this, Jesus said, “A NEW COMMANDMENT I give you: Love one another. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, so you MUST love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
-Bill Stockham