His Commandments of Love

Prayer-Soldier · Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 3:12 pm Post subject: His Commandments of Love

His Commandments of Love

Scripture:

He that sacrifices to gods, shall be put to death, save only to the Lord. You shall not molest a stranger, nor afflict him: for yourselves also were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not hurt a widow or an orphan. If you hurt them, they will cry out to me, and I will hear their cry: And my rage shall be enkindled, and I will strike you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. If you lend money to any of my people that is poor, that dwells with you, you shall not be hard upon them as an extortioner, nor oppress them with usuries. If you take of your neighbor a garment in pledge, you shall give it him again before sunset.
(Exodus 22:20-26)

For our gospel has not been unto you in word only, but in power also: and in the Holy Spirit and in much fullness, as you know what manner of men we have been among you for your sakes. And you became followers of us and of the Lord: receiving the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit: So that you were made a pattern to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. For from you was spread abroad the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and in Achaia but also in every place: your faith which is towards God, is gone forth, so that we need not to speak any thing. For they themselves relate of us, what manner of entering in we had unto you: and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. And to wait for his Son from heaven (whom he raised up from the dead), Jesus, who has delivered us from the wrath to come.
(1 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

But the Pharisees, hearing that he had silenced the Sadducees, came together. And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked him, tempting him: Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: You shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depends the whole law and the prophets.
(Matthew 22:34-40)

Reflection:

If we examine all which is asked of us through the holy Word of God, we find one common thread; love. All which God commands focuses upon how we may share the blessings of love with Him and one another. God calls us to look after the less fortunate, to approach one another with compassion, to engage one another with civility, and to deal with one another with respect and fairness. When we turn from these commandments, we harm something, whether it is our relationship with our Creator, our relationship with one another, or what we do to ourselves.

What we share in love may begin with our word, but our word means nothing without the example of our action. We may share His Gospel and preach by both word and deed. Though our words may be heard by many, what we do in love for Him and one another preaches far louder. Our actions speak well beyond what is heard or read.

If the Word of God takes root within us, it shall be seen through our efforts. If the Word of God has no root within us, our efforts shall reveal that as well. And so it was, so we might see and comprehend, God sent His only begotten Son, not only to teach us by Word, but also by how He lived, died, and rose for our salvation.

Jesus came to us to speak, but not only for us to hear, but so that we might experience. To emphasize the blessings of the Word, He healed the lame, made the deaf hear, made the blind see, and demonstrated His power, not only over the powers within the world, but over death itself.

All which was spoken to us through the prophets, all which is given to us by the law of God, all to which God calls us to is founded in love. God provides the eternal flame of love, but will we allow it to light our hearts? Will we allow His flame to guide us? With the flame of love He lights within us, will we share of it to light the flame within those who cross our path?

Questions for further reflection:

In what ways do we express the love God asks of us?

How is love more powerful than evil?

In what ways do the law and the prophets depend on the two greatest commandments?

May the peace and blessings of the Lord be with you always,
Prayer Soldier