Bible Reading: Daniel 7-8; 1 John 5.
Memory Verse: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” 1 John 5:3 (KJV)
The Lord Jesus Christ summarized the ten commandments when the Pharisees asked Him which commandment is the greatest. In answering the question in Matthew 22:37-40 (KJV), “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
The greatest commandment is to love God. The question is what is love of God. It is to have benevolence or goodwill towards God. It is not conditional upon any favour or situation. Such love should be exclusive; it cannot be shared with others. Thus, Jesus said you cannot serve two masters, you will love one and hate the other! You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Your love for God must also be surpassing. You have to love God above every other person or thing. This is why Jesus said you need to “hate” your father, mother, wife, children, brethren and your own life if you are to be his disciple. ( Luke 14:26) The word interpreted “hate” here is actually to love less; you have to love God above and beyond anyone else! Remember the second commandment is to love your neighbour, so Jesus Christ did not ask us to hate others but to love them less than we love Him!
Also another feature of your love for God is that it must be persevering. It must be ready to go through trials and temptations without wavering. James 1:12 (KJV) says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” And finally, your love for God must be obedient. You must obey his commandments. In fact, the love of God is defined in 1 John 5:3 (KJV), “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” Obedience is in fact the hallmark of Christians so you cannot claim to love God and be disobedient to His commandments!
Action Point: Examine yourself whether you are truly obedient to Him and make amendments in every area of your disobedience.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero