The Greatest Commandments

I'm a good person. I keep all the commandments. I don't lie, I don't cheat, I haven't killed anyone, I don't steal, I love my parents, and I go to church as often as possible.

Sound familiar?

Most of us have regarded the commandments as a 10 point check list for getting into heaven. A test of our lifestyle which we think is graded on a curve. But actually, scripture tells us, that if we break one of the commandments we have broken them all. So, if you fail one on the commandment test your grade is 0%. Given this perspective we are all failing this test. Check it out in James 2:10.

To look further into these commandments Jesus gives us some perspective when He was asked, in Matthew 22:35-40, which of the commandments is the greatest. 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.”

As we examine and ponder this scripture I've underlined a few key words that need special attention:

Heart. The center of our physical existence, it beats approximately once every second. So could it be interpreted to mean every second of our life?

Soul. The center of our spiritual and eternal existence. Our emotions and everything we long for. The very thing we stand for.

Mind. How we think and what we choose to think about. Thoughts that we give our time and attention to. What we pursue.

Neighbor. Anyone other than ourselves.

Can any of us claim that we have and continue to follow what Jesus says is most important?

I can't. I have to admit that I find these commands to be a struggle given the way my flesh and the world around me continue to influence me. I can't accomplish this on my own.

Thank God for His plan to give us the saving grace of Jesus' willingness to die on the cross for our sinful ways and to impart to us the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and strengthen us.

Easter is all about that plan and as this month unfolds we will be looking at the story of Easter and God's saving grace. Please plan to join us.

Note: To get yourself ready for the Easter celebration start by reading Romans 10:9.