Love God and Love People
The middle school students were staring at me, puzzled. I had asked them a simple question, “What are the greatest commandments?” Finally, one spoke up, “Don’t murder?” I shook my head no. “Don’t steal?” Nope.
When they ran out of guesses I had them turn to the gospel of Matthew 22:36-40 which says, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Love God and love people. The top two commandments according to Jesus and the two that sometimes can be the hardest to follow. It is challenging work to love people. The last two years have put people on edge, anxiety has been heightened, we have lived through a pandemic and are slowly coming out on the other side.
Sometimes it feels like we need a good reminder on how to love people again. It starts with simple acts of kindness. 1 Peter 4:8-11 talks about how we should love constantly, “Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
So, my question to us is how are we living this out in the world? Peter gives us a great checklist on how we can better love our neighbor:
· Be hospitable to one another but do not complain about it!
· Serve one another with our gifts and talents
· Choose our words carefully
· Rely on God for our strength
Imagine how much better the world could be if we did these simple things? If we truly lived out the two greatest commandments to love God and love people.
We are striving to do that here at First Presbyterian Church. We know that loving God and loving people is the best way to serve our community. We invite you to join us for worship on Sundays at 10 a.m. Be sure and stop by our church Rummage Sale Thursday, August 25, 5 p.m.-7 p.m., Friday, August 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, August 27, 8 a.m.-noon. A fantastic way to love your neighbor is to purchase amazing things at this Rummage Sale. All proceeds benefit our church so we can continue to support the magnificent work of our community!
Photo: Rev. Amanda Boss First Presbyterian Church Kasson