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Vision Logo Circle

Love God, Love People

by | Thu, Sep 24 2020

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Man holding Love God Love People sign

We make life complex, but Jesus makes it pretty simple.

Whether we realise it or not, each of us continually asks ourselves: ‘What should I do next?’

It may have been subconscious, but you even did it as part of the process of deciding to read this article (good choice, thanks!) But if only every decision was that easy!

Some decisions have big consequences and can be extremely hard—just ask our Prime Minister or any of the State Premiers about the calls they’ve had to make these past six months.

Some of them are looking pretty stressed by the weight of it all. Sometimes we get weighed down too. We pray for wisdom and direction, which we should—but I wonder how often the answer would already be staring us in the face, if we were just to apply the clear and simple instructions Jesus has already given to us?

Jesus was asked one of those ‘what is the most important’ questions by a man who was an expert in the law, so it might be fair to say he ought to have already known.

But Jesus cut right through the clutter with two straightforward actions:
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31 ESV).

These two simple commandments summarise all the laws and commands in Scripture. And note the order—we must first seek after a right relationship with God and His love, so that loving our neighbour becomes natural.

When we put the love of God first, we will naturally consider the well-being of others rather than our own comfort. As we strive to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, then our hearts, souls and minds are transformed and we are able to start loving others as we love ourselves. Instead of seeking
our own affirmation, we are able to build others up. As the Fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our own lives, those around us will inevitably feel loved.

And when we (just as inevitably)fail, our love for God should drive us back to the cross of Christ and the hope of salvation that stems from His righteousness.

Love for God and people is what drives this Christian media ministry. Our dream is to give every Australian easy access to the truth of God. Both Scripture and history show that, as we help others to follow Jesus Christ, redemption and transformation will follow—something that can even change the course of nations.

It really is quite simple—love God and love people.

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