March 25: WHO IS YOUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF?
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
A cursory understanding of God’s commandments might imply that His goal for us is compliance. This is a regrettable view, as it shrinks God down and places Him in a very small category such as an egotistical boss or a drill sergeant. Taking such a view puts Him in a false light: as if He has no real interest in walking and talking daily with each of us. But the goal of our great God is nothing short of a total transformation of our fallen nature into a nature centered upon the Source of never-ending life and genuine love. This transformation is what it means to be fit for heaven.
When Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He was preparing to go to the cross. This instruction implies that if you love Him, you will want to keep His commandments. This is His will for you, to love Him. As your relationship with Him deepens, His will actually becomes your will! And it is His Spirit, His Helper (v.16), who enables you to fulfill this desire.
There are many stories of soldiers who have fought bravely because of their great respect and love for their commander. Beloved, we are in a war—a spiritual war—and battles are being waged on a daily basis. The power of love, particularly divine love, has the undeniable effect of motivating Christian soldiers to engage in each battle with a view toward heaven, for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12 KJV). If Jesus is your Commander in Chief, you engage to win hearts for His kingdom. Each “win” has a double effect, for in this war, one less spiritual enemy instantly translates into one more spiritual ally. Glory to God! Still, it is not a battle over numbers. Rather it is over precious souls, all of whom He loves.
It is with this understanding that I will paraphrase the first commandment: I’m the one true God who rescued you from spiritual darkness. I did it because I love you. I hope you will choose to love Me back. If you really knew Me, you would want only Me to be in charge of your life.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2-3
Note: In our modern English, the word shall is associated with should which is usually associated with advice. It would be more accurate to say will, associated with would, as in personal desire. If you truly know God, your will is to love Him supremely. You will not want to love anyone above Him! He wants to be known by you. See Jeremiah 9:24.