Waist Deep 2018 - December 27


I John 5: 3 His commands are not burdensome. (NIV)


His laws are not unreasonable; the duties which he requires are not beyond our ability; his government is not oppressive.*


When the Pharisees asked Jesus what was the greatest commandment, they were hoping to trick him into saying something they could use against him. He answered their trick question with a “trick answer” – he named the two greatest commandments: Love God and love your neighbor (Matthew 22: 37-39). And then he added, “All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22: 40)

So whatever else Jesus may have commanded us; whatever Paul and James and Peter were inspired to write; and of all the laws of the Old Testament era – would we need any of those words if we knew what “love God and love your neighbor” looked like? And yet, Jesus has shown us clearly what it looks like:  “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (I John 3: 16)

There is no doubt that trying to keep the commandments in the law was burdensome - lots of stuff to remember and do; but Jesus came and simplified the rules. As a single mother, caring for my toddler twin boys was – shall we say, challenging? – but never burdensome. Loving God should be even less so.  Look how he loved us!


If you maintain these two top priorities – love God and love others – they will guide you in setting all the other priorities in your life.*


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