Love God, Love People
As Christians in America , we are witnessing a test of what we really believe about Jesus teachings in the Bible around loving God and loving our neighbor. If we really are followers of Christ, can the church support the actions of our government toward the least, last, lost and left out? In Mark 12:28–34 Jesus sees the heart of a Jewish teacher of the law who agrees with what Jesus says are the most important commandments. Jesus statement to this man was “you are not far from the kingdom of God”. And in James 2:14–17, James tells us that our actions reflect whether we have true faith… or not. I pray that we would be followers of Jesus and the religion that Jesus preached. And that our actions would reflect our true faith in Him. Amen
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28–31)
The Sadducees had been debating Jesus particularly around belief in resurrection. Their purpose was to discredit Him in front of His followers, but they were unsuccessful. One of the teachers of the law came and listened to this debate and was impressed with Jesus’ answers. He then asked a question around an ongoing and long running debate. What was the most important commandment? Jesus answered with the Jewish shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) but also added to it the command to love our neighbor as ourself. These two summarize the intent and heart of all of God’s law and commandments.
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. (Mark 12:32–34)
The teacher of the law commended and agreed with Jesus on His answer to that age old question. He acknowledged that wholehearted love of God and your neighbor were more important than burnt offerings sacrifices. Sacrifices and burnt offerings were rituals designed to bring people back into right standing with God. But God desires relationship with us more than ritual. Jesus saw the man’s acceptance and insight and pronounced that this man was near to the kingdom of God. After Jesus’ answer to that most important and weighty question, no one dared to pursue debating Him further.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14–17)
James pointed out that the profession of faith is not enough. Our faith should lead us to do good works. Out of our love for our neighbor, our faith should result in right action toward them. Otherwise our “faith” is dead, powerless.
Conclusion
Jesus came to usher in the kingdom of God and invite us into it. God’s kingdom has values that are antithetical (directly opposed to) what the world values. Acting religious does not equate to righteousness. God desires that you wholeheartedly love Him and that you love your neighbor to the same degree and in the same way you want to be loved. To talk about your faith has little value if it isn’t accompanied by actions that demonstrate your faith. God-talk without God-acts is worthless! Faith in God and His salvation requires us to follow His most important commandments ...Love God, and Love people! Amen
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
