The Greatest Commandments
Key verse
Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus forever redefined neighbor—beyond ethnicity, party, or religion. He humbled Himself as a man and died for us. We prove we love God by loving all people, unconditionally.
Naturally, that’s an impossible level of love.
We have said it many ways over the years at East Coast, but it always comes down to “Love God and Love People.”
This is our East Coast spiritual DNA. But how do we express it daily? Well, love is only love when it is in action.
Love is only love when it is in action.
For the man or woman who cut me off in traffic, I believe the best about her. “She’s distracted by hurts or frustrations.” I can pray for her to have peace and for God’s children to cross her path with the good news today.
You can love and believe the best when your spouse is short-tempered or irritated. Forgive them before they ask and offer to take something off their plate, while privately praying for them.
You can put God first each day! Before rolling out of bed, thank Him for another morning, fresh coffee, and a quiet moment for the two of you. Or, on the drive to work, ask who He’d like you to help today. It may even surprise you to know He just wants some of your undivided, quiet attention.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for modeling love for me. Since You love and forgave me, I’m able to love and forgive others. Today, help me see others’ hurts as opportunities to love those around me. Thanks, Holy Spirit, for helping me love others like You do. Amen.
Ask Yourself:
Do I find it difficult to think the best about others?
What are ways I can put God first today?
What are ways I can love others, both strangers and those close to me, today?
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