This word is as prophetic as it gets... why?
Let this recent article by Ryan Bruss sink in deeply as you "Go"! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)
Who is my neighbor? And where do I find these beautiful people? I believe that Jesus brilliantly answered the "who is my neighbor" question in Luke 10:25-37.
The certain lawyer in this story was some sort of teacher or expert in the law, and he stood up to test Jesus. He asked the most important question a man or woman could ever ask in this life: "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus totally set this teacher up by answering his question with a question. Always remember that when Jesus is asking you a question, He's not looking for information. Think about that for a moment.
This expert in the law went on to quote, from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, the two greatest commandments in the Word of God: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27).
Everything in life and ministry flows from these two verses. Everything. And notice how both of these commandments are united by one, main theme – love. We must learn, as never before, in this hour to keep the first commandment in its first place. This greatest commandment should be our heart's passion morning, noon, night and "midnight snack"!
When we fall in love with Jesus, I mean really fall in love with Jesus, it turns our whole lives upside down and inside out.
So, friends, if you do anything in life well, do this well: love Him with everything. A heart that is abundantly satisfied in Him and that enjoys the pleasures of knowing and loving God – that heart will never be shaken.
Now, loving our neighbor is not the greatest commandment, but it is second, and second on the Father's list is very, very important.
"He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:8)
Why and How Are We to Love Our Neighbor?
Why are we to love our neighbor? We are to love our neighbor because we love what Jesus loves, and He loves the rich, the poor, the dirty, the broken, those who have fallen into sin, the successful, the homeless, those on death row, those who have been battered by life – everyone. (Photo via Pixabay)
You see, we hold the ability to love our neighbor. We have the power and ability through Jesus to choose to love. I was once talking to the Lord about someone I found difficult to love. I asked Jesus, "How should I love _______?" He replied quickly and tenderly, "As I have loved you." Enough said.
If we do the first commandment well, it will automatically spill over into the second commandment. For when we love Him with all of our hearts, He pours out His love back to us. This radically changes us from the inside out and therefore it gives us a love for others and ourselves.
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Did you catch that? I love me because He loves me. Even with all of my weaknesses and shortcomings. The stronger this identity is solidified within me, the greater the ability for me to love my neighbor.
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love...This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:9, 12)
Our self-worth is not be defined by our mistakes, how we were raised or by the opinions of others. Jesus settled the issue of our worth by walking the terrible and joyful journey to the Cross for you and me. Our worth is defined by His everlasting and overwhelming love for us, every moment of every day. When we keep ourselves in the love of God, it gives us the right perspective on how He feels about us and others. Abide continually in His love, dear ones.
Try as you might, you will not authentically love your neighbor more than you feel loved by God. So many people struggle with loving others because they struggle with loving themselves. We love God well when we learn to love what He loves – our neighbor. You see, love makes you my neighbor. Don't think of it this way: "You are my neighbor and therefore Jesus says I have to love you." No. Rather...(continue reading)
