The Greatest Commandment. The greatest blessing. Mark 12:28-31

Mark 12:28-31New International Version (NIV)

The Greatest Commandment

28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Face it we live in a world that doesn't like commandments.  "Don't tell me what i'm supposed to do...." seems to be the mantra of many.  Commandments seem so absolute and judgmental with very little room for discussion.  No we like suggestions a lot more than commandments.   So When we think about commandments automatically some of us start to squirm and worry about the consequences of breaking them..  but this is a sad way of living because God looks at it radically different.  God thinks about the glory of obeying them!

Think about it.   Could there be anything better than loving God with our whole heart especially when we know that God has already loved us with everything; heart,soul,mind and strength.  No the commandments are not a punishment or a warning.  They are an invitation to engage in a love affair and to experience life abundantly!   Its when we fail to follow the commandments that we undermine our own enjoyment and the enjoyment of others from the very best God has to offer.

No commandments are not burdens.  Rather they are a blessing.  They are beautiful.  They are the picture of life as it was meant to be.

So if you're looking for true love and joy try the commandments and start with Loving God and loving others.  It can be liberating!  Even if its not always easy.

Prayer,  Lord help me to experience your very best today and use me to bless others with the best as well.  Help me to love and not take for granted the love affair that's a heart beat away.  Help us to love the commandments as much as You love us.