While Jesus was here on earth He was asked 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.‘ All the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)
All of Christianity comes down to HOW WE LOVE GOD and how everything we do – relationships, work, entertainment, education, SHOWS OUR LOVE FOR GOD. No success, status, or possession will matter at the end of our days. How we LOVED GOD and LOVED OTHERS will determine our victory.
Jesus showed us how to love, with this teaching, “…when Jesus comes in His glory…He will sit upon His throne…He will place the sheep at His right hand and the goats at His left. “Then the King will say to those on His right (this is the Christians), ‘Come, you blessed by my Father, INHERIT MY KINGDOM…I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then the righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, WHEN did we ever see you hungry…Or thirsty…Or a stranger…Or naked…sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, YOU WERE DOING IT TO ME!’ Jesus said to the goats when they asked Him “‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ And He will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when YOU REFUSED TO HELP THE LEAST OF THESE my brothers and sisters, you were REFUSING TO HELP ME.’” (Matthew 25:31-45) We must, with OUR ALL, love God and love our neighbors…
-Bill Stockham