“Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
– Matthew 22:35-40 NKJV
As someone who grew up in the church and gave their life to Christ early, I slip into autopilot in my faith easily. I get tired of certain things, like going to church every Sunday in the winter, and waking up earlier to start my day with Christ. Lately, I have struggled mostly with how I represent Christ, especially online. In a space where opinions are observed, I try to only carry the truth I know, not just my feelings. It is difficult, what with the day and age. Strange things are happening, and communities are suffering for it. The worst part is finding people in your space who represent what you despise, and what you believe the Lord despises, too. If any part of my faith has been put to the test in this decade, it is loving even when I think you are a fool.
I, therefore, meditate on the greatest command often: “Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NKJV). It is known and documented in the Bible that Judas, Jesus’ betrayer, was a disciple (Luke 6:16). Jesus loved him so well as they walked together that the disciples could not identify who they had been told was going to betray Him: ““But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him.” (John 13:28 NKJV). If there was anything to exemplify the sort of love the Lord wanted me to extend, I believe it is that relationship.
If Jesus could lead and break bread with the man who would lead to His pain and crucifixion to carry out His purpose, then surely I can do same. I can love God enough to be faithful to Him. After all, one who loves God keeps His commandments (John 14:15). I can regard others the way I, myself, have been regarded in the eyes of the Father. Jesus washed feet (John 13:5) and loved His enemies. He has not asked me to do what He was unable to. I can learn to regulate my emotions and control my words even I am being treated like anything but God’s child. In loving God, I must love others. By loving others, I have loved Him.
I thank Him for being a good Father that understands injustice but is merciful enough to love regardless. It is with this knowledge that I can be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (James 1:19). It means that before presenting myself both online and offline, I can ask if my presence is a reflection of who the Lord is, if the offense I feel is worth acting out of character, or my communication of justice is rooted in love. This is the measure of a true child of God. It is what will continually set us apart. I pray in Jesus’ name for abundant wisdom and strength in the times we find ourselves in, and that above all, we will be found ready for the Lord. Amen.
