My mind has been drawn lately to a very well known scripture. This scripture has been used by Christians for decades and sometimes without much thought. It is used to encourage us to do good things for our neighbours. The passage is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27).
For many years I have heard and read this passage without giving it much thought. But lately I have been drawn to the first part of this verse. “Love the Lord your God…” Is it possible that we are so focused on our neighbour that we have forgotten to love God? I guess it is much easier to show love for a neighbour because we can see them, while loving God is sharing emotion with someone we can’t see. I also wonder if the church’s social work has lost its strength because we have ignored the first part. If it is by our own strength is God blessing it? Does it have any real power behind it?
So how do we love God? I have two suggestions. First by obeying Him (John 14:15). The only way we can obey Him is by reading His word, the Bible. There are lots of how-to books out there but there is nothing that will compare with reading the Bible daily – God speaks to you through it. Secondly, share your faith with others. When we love someone we can’t stop talking about them (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 1:8).
We don’t have to be preachers or teachers, just people who are willing to share our story. Start today, there are many good Bible reading plans.
And don’t forget to share your story – it’s powerful.
Ken Cyr is pastor with the Maple Park Alliance Church.