February 4, 2022
(continued from yesterday)
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 10:12
Numerous beautiful reminders of the first Commandment can have the needed effect of “snapping” us to attention. Until Jesus comes to get us, the deceiver will unrelentingly seek to divert our attention away from God. A pure loyalty that lies exclusively with the LORD means that we welcome all instructions from His Word.
His will for our lives becomes our will.
Our desires align with His desires.
We will want to do only that which pleases Him! This places a proper frame on all of our relationships, for we are potential instruments in His hand to be an uplifting influence and example to others. Jesus, the great Teacher, masterfully combined two verses of Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18) to answer a lawyer’s trick question while demonstrating that His word, referred to as the Law and the Prophets, centers on love:
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40
The church at Ephesus lies in ruins today. Many other churches and individuals — once shining beacons of light in the world — have sadly lost their place in God’s Kingdom. The Lord reminds us often that He will not leave or forsake us, but He does not remove our freedom of choice to remain with Him. It is certainly within our power to leave and forsake Him. Even a highly commended church, such as the Ephesus church, began to slip away early. Hear the pain in the heart of Jesus when He says, “you have left your first love” and resolve (daily!) not to hurt Him ever again. Repent means turn around.