PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 12:28-34
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:34)
The kingdom of God is when God-like rulers care for the world in love (Genesis 1).
If all humans loved God and others, we would experience God’s kingdom on earth.
But this is the big IF, and the reason our world is so messed up.
This Law teacher seems to get it, that God-like love is the key.
He is so close to the kingdom and yet not in it… why?
Because knowing it is not what we need, we need to live it!
Satan has succeeded in blinding us into bondage, keeping us from true love.
No matter how close we get to loving God and others, we still fall short.
This is why Jesus came, to live in love FOR US, so that we can be set free.
Satan failed to trick Jesus; Jesus wins back Adam’s throne!
Once again a God-like human – Jesus – is in charge, and love wins.
Without Jesus we can only get close to the kingdom; with Jesus we can enter!
I am in the kingdom NOW, not because I am so loving but because I am in Jesus.
As His follower, He is training me to in love again, the way I was made to live!
PRAYER
Lord, You are in charge and Satan is beaten. Help me to live on Your side, and to work with You to make this world a loving place again!
“To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Thank you God for showing us what is more important than all the legalism in the world, then and today. Help us love as you have taught us to love: with everything we’ve got and no holds barred. Help us remember this when it is hard to love and hard to be wise.
More important: “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Love and service for my neighbour takes priority in the kingdom of God. I need help in applying this principle – seems like my own agenda, our church agenda takes priority – they need to become the same. So often we shut out the needy neighbour not knowing how to help! Help me to be like Jesus – to be loving and responsive to my neighbour – not just passing by!
Love.
He first loved us and have His life for you and me.
My response needs to do the same – love God. Love man.
And that is only a possibility through His leading and power – God living in me.
And in times like these it is love that makes the world turn – as far as it depends upon me, live at peace with all man. Love your neighbour as yourself.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me!
All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling
In His blessèd presence live, ever His praises sing,
Love so mighty and so true, merits my soul’s best songs,
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs.