HEAVENSREEF

May we live our lives according to the Greatest Commandment.  I am so very blessed that my Church really embraces this commandment.  We are reminded of it often……..

MATTHEW 22:  37-39  “JESUS REPLIED:  “LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  THIS IS THE FIRST AND  GREATEST COMMANDMENT.  AND THE SECOND IS LIKE IT:  LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

So we begin with loving the LORD with all our hearts, souls and minds.  Begin there.  Begin with JESUS.  Ask HIM to fill your heart and HE will.  In this process we strengthen our faith, because GOD is who HE is and so worthy.  As we walk each day we abide more, we read the word and turn and obey the commandments.  We walk differently, because we love the LORD with all of our being. 

The next part of this Great Commandment is like the first part:  “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

When we love others with grace and kindness, then we have a righteous impact upon them.  They are able to see we live differently from the rest of the world and are drawn to why that is.  Have you ever had anyone ask you why you are different?  Or made the comment that you are not like everyone else?

There is a line said by the actor playing JESUS in the popular series The Chosen that has stuck with me.   Jesus says to one of the disciples to “get used to different.”   JESUS knew that HIS purpose was different and HE knows ours is to……..to spread the gospel of forgiveness and grace for the sins of the world.

JESUS had a righteous impact on all whom HE came in contact with.  HIS touch and HIS words left people……..different.   Many followed HIM, some rejected HIM, but even then, all knew that HE was a righteous Savior and a HOLY one.

2 CORINTHIANS  5:21  “GOD MADE HIM WHO HAD NO SIN TO BE SIN FOR US, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.”

When we trust in GOD we have made a wonderful exchange……..our sin for HIS righteousness.  What an immeasurable gift, this gift of righteousness.  This eternal transaction is an amazing one, one we should be so very thankful for! 

PSALM 33: 5  “THE LORD LOVES RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE; THE EARTH IS FULL OF HIS UNFAILING LOVE.”

HIS righteousness is something to be praised and embraced by us.  And when we do, we have that righteous impact upon others, loving them as ourselves, loving them with HIS love.

HIS righteousness endures forever because of this:

PSALM 145: 17  “THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS IN ALL HIS WAYS AND FAITHFUL IN ALL HE DOES.”

None of us are righteous, no not one!  But JESUS is and when we follow HIM our fruit has a righteous impact on those around us.  Seek HIS righteousness today with all heart, soul and mind and then love others with this same righteousness that is so different than our world.

PSALM 96: 13  “LET ALL CREATION REJOICE BEFORE THE LORD, FOR HE COMES, HE COMES TO JUDGE THE EARTH.  HE WILL JUDGE THE WORLD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE PEOPLES IN HIS FAITHFULNESS.”