The Great Commandment Pt. 5
Study Notes
The question was a good one, "Which is the great commandment of the law?" The answer of Jesus is beautiful, "To love God with all your heart, soul and mind...and to love your neighbor as you love yourself." He even said that this was the summary of the Law and the Prophets.
If we are to do this, we first need to receive the love of God, abide in it and keep ourselves in His love. His love is received by faith but experienced through practices. To love God in return becomes easier as we contemplate His great love for us. However, here is an amazing reality, we cannot love God well if we do not love people. Here are some practical strategies for becoming loving people.
Remove Obstacles
"Put off..."
- Wrong Thinking
- Wrong Attitudes
"a stubborn resolve to have our own way, a desire to control others or an unhealthy desire to be exalted/affirmed." Dallas Willard - Wrong Behaviors
Embrace Practices
"Put on..."
- for the Heart
- Negative emotions are not in charge.
- When we submit our emotions/feelings to a greater affection/value, we often find our emotions follow.
- for the Soul
- Love because we are loved...
- Forgive because we are forgiven...
- Value others because He values them...
- Serve because we are being care for by Him...
- for the Mind
Rid your mind of contempt through...- Prayer
- Scripture memory
- Get to know the person you are struggling to love
- for the Body
- Gratitude / Be thankful
- Kindness
- Forgiveness
- Humility
- Longsuffering / Endurance / Patience
- Meekness
- Discernment
- Value all people
- Give people their rightful place in your life
- Do the right thing
- Prayer
Questions for family, small groups or personal reflection
- Spend some time looking over the "put on/ put off" verses in Ephesians 4:22-32, and Colossians 3:1-17
- Quietly, examine yourself, identify one or more items from these passages that you need to "put off?"
- What obstacles are hardest to "put off?"
- If we will love well we must practice. What practices are hardest for you? Why?
- Identify some "concrete" steps you will take, this week, to practice "putting on" the new life God has given you.
Suggested "means for growth
Becoming a loving person requires cooperation with God. What do you believe He is asking you to do to become the person who reflects His image? Tell someone about this and develop a plan to see it through.