A Norvell Note
March 29 – Vol. 30 No. 12
Just Two Commands
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your 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 hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)
He gave us two commands. Just two. Not a thousand. Not a hundred. Not even ten. Just two. Love me and love each other. Just two commands, and we can’t seem to get them right.
I hear people say, “I’m a follower of Jesus, love God with my heart.” But the next day, I hear them say, “I can’t stand to even see those people in the hallway.” Although I may not say it out loud, I’m ashamed to admit that sometimes I catch myself saying the same or similar things in my mind.
Two commands. Just two.
That’s all He asked us to. “Everything else hangs on these.”
We sit in churches week after week, singing about our love for God and how He loves us. Throughout the week, we praise and admire people who talk down to people, make fun of those who struggle with physical or mental issues, and ignore the poor and homeless. We say we love God, and yet we refuse to associate with people who do not measure up to our expectations and standards.
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)
Two commands. Just two
I love you.
Tom