Daily Reading: 4-27-16
Luke 10:25-28 New Living Translation (NLT)
How important do you think it is that we learn to love by God’s standard? Jesus said it was the most important mandate from the Father and the way to eternal life. As I read our passage for today, it is clear that if I am going to learn to love by God’s standard, it means a change must come to my human ability to love.
The Most Important Commandment
25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”
27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”[a]
28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”
God’s standard for operating in His love seems to require alterations in the love fabric of every human being. I will use myself as an example. First, I must allow true love to permeate and take up residence in my heart, because human self-love wants to be exalted there; God’s love will change who comes first in my heart. Second, I must welcome a journey for the redemption of my soul or emotions; how I express myself will be changed by God’s love. Third, I must humble myself and accept the reality that my human strength is not enough to choose to love by God’s standard; God’s love will become a buttress of strength for me to be obedient. Fourth, God’s standard of love calls for a transformation of my way of thinking; my mind will be touched and my perspective will be changed by God’s love. No matter how I look at the sequence of these things listed in our Scripture about God’s standard of love, it means ongoing change for Mary. Praise God, it also means eternal life for me. What does it mean for you?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are perfect Love. Thank You for offering to teach me about Your standard of love and for making a way for me to operate in it. I welcome the change. In Jesus’ name. Amen.