The Greatest Commandment

 

We visited lots of family last week. My sister-in-law has a little dog who is a bundle of energy. She only knows one speed – full throttle, all systems go! She puts maximum effort into everything she does. When she is finished, she goes over to her doggie bed and lies down until the next round begins. We are called to have that same kind of enthusiastic, full-bore approach to life.

 

An expert in the law asked Jesus which was the greatest commandment. Jesus answered, “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” (Matthew 22:37-38).

 

It seems to me that we don’t pay full attention to what Jesus said. We think, consciously or subconsciously, that we are living pretty good lives and that God ought to be satisfied with us. We ignore the commandment that we are supposed to give God 100% of us 100% of the time. Jesus reinforces this point, saying, “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ ” (Luke 17:10).

 

Someone looking from the outside might think that God is a harsh taskmaster, demanding total commitment. We have faith that when we give everything up to our loving Father, He in turn gives us even greater blessings. Our best life is found in Him.

 

We know that we will fall short of perfection, but let’s aspire to a life of utter abandon, putting everything into the hands of Jesus, living each day to the fullest in His service. Let’s give our maximum effort with the power and strength of the Spirit, resting in Him when needed. Let our lives be a witness to the goodness of God.

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an E-book through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.