Title: Two Primary Principles/Topic: Holiness

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40
36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Observation: Jesus, God in the flesh, speaks in these verses of what true holiness is. He teaches us that all ten of God's commandments for holy living can be simplified to these two principles: Love God and love people. He mentions nothing about having “correct” doctrine here. Apparently, God is more concerned with our attitudes and actions than he is about us believing the “right thing”.

Application: The point of studying doctrine isn't that we have the ability to debate with someone else who doesn't believe exactly as we do and persuade them of “the truth”, it is that we learn how to personally love God more and love people more. If we aren't applying what we learn so that it serves the latter purpose, our learning will simply make us arrogant (and therefore, unattractive to others). When I study the Bible, I should ask myself, “How will what I have read today help me love God more and love people more?”.

Prayer: Father, help me to be able to ferret out truth that transforms me into a better, more godly person every time I read your Word. I want to understand what you desire me to know about what it means to love you passionately and to love others as myself. I am grateful that you love me so much. May I grow in my ability to show that love to others.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.