Love God and Love People

- Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. The heart (essence) of all commandments rests in these two greatest commandments. "This is suggested in opposition to the numerous commandments in the law, according to the opinion of the Jews, who reckon them in all to be "six hundred and thirteen": of which there are "three hundred and sixty five" negative ones, according to the number of the days of the year; and "two hundred and forty eight" affirmative ones, according to the members of a man's body. Christ reduces all to two, love to God, and love to the neighbour." (John Gill)
- Jesus says that the most important commandment of all commandments is: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind! The heart, soul, and mind represent the whole person. God desires from us, His children, our undivided love and devotion. He wants us to love Him with our whole being...to love Him above all else even our own life. He wants us to always keep Him first in our heart and at the forefront of our mind. The whole Christianity boils down to one primary thing: Amo Dei = Love God! We must love God completely with all the affections, the will, and the thoughts/the understanding...with all we have and all we are at all times under all circumstances. This is agape love, the committed, devoted love which makes a decision to sacrifice all for the One we love. Obviously, no one is capable of loving God perfectly all the time. This unattainable standard of all-encompassing love for God shows our desperate need for God's amazing, inexhaustible grace. 
- Jesus says in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commands." Our obedience to God demonstrates our love for God. To love God is the priority of life. It should rule our hearts & thoughts and guide our decisions, words, and actions. The second most important commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself, which should flow out of the first and greatest commandment. "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10) Without love, I am nothing and gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) We naturally love ourselves and want the best for ourselves. Jesus wants us to treat others/to care for others the same way. Do good to all! "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5)
- Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for loving me first with an everlasting love! Thank You for Who You are and for all You have done for me! I love You! Please purify my heart, soul, & mind and help me love You more and more with every part of me. Please make my life a living expression of Your love to the world for Your glory. Please give me Your eyes to see where and how I may be a blessing to others each day. Please enable me to love others like Jesus... unconditionally, sacrificially, and selflessly. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

"The true measure of loving God is to love Him without measure." ~Bernard