Scripture:

Matthew 22:

36”Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Observation:

It all boils down to 2 things.  Love God.  Love people.  Could it be any simpler than that.  One writer puts it this way:

“At the end of His answer Jesus says something that is easy to miss - “on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

He was telling these people that the whole Old Testament is based upon these two commandments. Every book of the law and every book of the Prophets were all trying to teach one thing - to love God and to love others. I realize we tend to look at the Bible and walk away feeling like there are a lot of things to obey; however, when it comes down to it, there are only those two things to remember. All of our attitudes, actions, and reactions should be based on our love for God and our love for others. Since I love God, I won’t put other gods before Him, worship idols, or take God’s name in vain. Since I love others, I will honor my mom and dad. Since I love others, I will not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet.”

A commitment to one relationship means a commitment to the other.  Let me make it even simpler.  What’s most important to God?  Relationships.  First with Him.  Second with others.

Application:

What’s most important to God ought to be what’s most important to us.  How are these two crucial relationships in your life?  Which one is easier for you to maintain? 

Prayer:

Pray that God would increase your love for Him…and that he would give you opportunities to share that love with others…in real tangible ways.  Keep it simple.  God does.