On more than one occasion, Jesus is asked which commandment is most important. Jesus replies, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” He continues, “The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

The supreme priority of these two statements stands out clearly in Matthew 22:40 when Jesus declares, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” There is nothing more important in all the Scriptures, in terms of what God asks of us, than to love Him wholeheartedly and to love others as we love ourselves.

It is not possible to do a good job of keeping the Great Commandment, however, if we don’t experience God’s deep love for us personally, by receiving His Son, Jesus Christ, in our heart. Sadly, many think God does not look on them with love, favor and delight. Why? Often because of unresolved guilt.Yet 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” When we experience God’s forgiveness, God’s deep love for us becomes real - then reciprocating God’s love in heartfelt gratitude comes easily. Let’s do just that today!  

This is Luis Palau.