34 When (A) the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they came together in the same place. 35 And one of them, an expert in the law, asked a question to test Him: (B) 36 "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" [a] 37 He said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. (C) (D) 38 This is the greatest and most important [b] commandment. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. (E) (F) 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend [c] on these two commandments.- Matthew 22:34-40
Which of you would like a spouse or significant other to only recognize us or spend time with us when it is most convenient for them? Which of you reading this article would be content with seeing the love of your life on a part-time or sporadic basis? My guess is none of you. Love is meant to be experienced in all of its many splendid facets. There are ups and downs in any relationship but love (commitment) allows you to easily wade through those tough times. Love evolves. It is not so much of an emotion as it is an intentional effort to deny self so as to strengthen the union.
Love spends time with others. It is attentive, kind, long suffering and patient. Love does not envy. It does not mock others nor does it always need to be first.
Knowing these characteristics makes it easy to understand why God want us to love Him. He does not just want our time or our deeds, He wants it all. The Master of Heaven and earth is not looking for a part-time lover. Similarly, Brahma-charya implores fidelity in relationships. God is looking for a committed significant other—one who desires to pledge themselves to Him for all eternity. God is looking for His bride. God is not looking for any old bride; He’s looking for the one who love Him with all their heart, all their soul and their entire mind. Christ expounds on this saying: THIS is the greatest and most important commandment.
From this we can conclude that God takes love very seriously. He is not looking for brides who profess to love Him but continue to live a worldly-centered or unholy life. It is impossible to love God and live a lifestyle that is contrary to His ordinances. The bible clearly tells us that those who live like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. In truth, those kinds of believers disgust God. The same way you expect loyalty and fidelity from your spouse or significant other, is the same way God expects it from us. We cannot love the things of God and love the ways of the world. The bible says that is impossible to serve two masters because you will end up despising one and loving the other.
Which of you would like a spouse or significant other to only recognize us or spend time with us when it is most convenient for them? Which of you reading this article would be content with seeing the love of your life on a part-time or sporadic basis? My guess is none of you. Love is meant to be experienced in all of its many splendid facets. There are ups and downs in any relationship but love (commitment) allows you to easily wade through those tough times. Love evolves. It is not so much of an emotion as it is an intentional effort to deny self so as to strengthen the union.
Love spends time with others. It is attentive, kind, long suffering and patient. Love does not envy. It does not mock others nor does it always need to be first.
Knowing these characteristics makes it easy to understand why God want us to love Him. He does not just want our time or our deeds, He wants it all. The Master of Heaven and earth is not looking for a part-time lover. Similarly, Brahma-charya implores fidelity in relationships. God is looking for a committed significant other—one who desires to pledge themselves to Him for all eternity. God is looking for His bride. God is not looking for any old bride; He’s looking for the one who love Him with all their heart, all their soul and their entire mind. Christ expounds on this saying: THIS is the greatest and most important commandment.
From this we can conclude that God takes love very seriously. He is not looking for brides who profess to love Him but continue to live a worldly-centered or unholy life. It is impossible to love God and live a lifestyle that is contrary to His ordinances. The bible clearly tells us that those who live like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. In truth, those kinds of believers disgust God. The same way you expect loyalty and fidelity from your spouse or significant other, is the same way God expects it from us. We cannot love the things of God and love the ways of the world. The bible says that is impossible to serve two masters because you will end up despising one and loving the other.
©2010-2013 Minister Claretta Taylor Pam, Global Ecumenical Ministries Inc. and Universal Life Church Monastery of Massachusetts. All Rights Reserved
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