Haven't Seen It Yet: A 5 Day Devotional SeriesНамуна

Day 4: Love God. Love People.

When God maps out the plan for your life, He gives you a specific calling—a way to use the gifts and talents He’s given you to impact the world around you. But in the day-to-day rush of life, it can be easy to lose sight of your true purpose.

So many times I think we overthink our calling and over complicate the Gospel, when really our purpose in this life comes down to two simple things: loving God and loving people.

In Matthew 22, a Pharisee asks Jesus what the most important commandment is. In verse 37, He replies, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” (v. 37-40, NLT)

Jesus lays it out plain and simple.

God is so good to us that the first commandment isn’t very hard. He loves us unconditionally, which compels us to love Him back in return. Now, loving people, that’s a different story. 

In today’s world, it can be really hard to love people. There’s so much that threatens to divide us. We see it every day on the news. Violence is at an all time high.  The amount of political unrest we’re experiencing over social, economic and racial issues consumes our conversations and our social feeds. Immigration, abortion, sexual abuse, infidelity, and the list goes on and on.  It can be challenging to show love to the people we disagree with. It can be even more difficult to love the people who intentionally pick a fight. 

But if loving people is equally as important as loving God, then I’d say we need to pay attention. This isn’t a suggestion. This is a commandment. The church should be on the front lines of love. As believers, we must learn how to love our neighbor, despite our differences. We don’t have to agree with someone to love them.

When you don’t know what God’s plan is for your life, you can rest in knowing what God’s plan is for you today.  It’s simple. Love God. Love people.

We’re living in a world that keeps breakin’

But if we want to find a way to change it 

It all comes down to this

Love God and love people

Confession/Prayer: God help me to see others through your eyes. Help me operate in love and grace toward those who aren’t showing love and grace toward me. Show me your heart. Teach me how to be more like you, and help me fulfill the commandments you’ve given to me.