Positional Statement Series Part 7: Concerning Loving God and loving others

Throughout the New Testament, it talks about how we are to love God and love others. Though it is very important to Jesus , it is not considered a doctrine which it should be. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus states the greatest commandment of all which is twofold. Love God and Love People. We love God by abiding by his commandments. We love people because we love God. God calls us to build one another up. God calls us to bear one another’s burdens. God calls us to correct one another. God calls us to build each other up, not tear each other down. This doctrine is imperative to follow to help us practice the “Love the sinner, hate the sin” mantra. to often or not, we seriously downplay coarse joking and other comments that should not be mentioned in Church. We should not demean someone just because they talk different. We should not demean someone just simply because they have the wrong haircut. God calls us to bear one another’s burdens, not add to their burdens. This doctrine of One Another is the doctrine that will help eliminate disunity and promote unity. There is not a higher class of people in God’s eyes. Every person is created equal with unique gift sets. We should not shame someone for not being able to memorize verses. For some, memorizing comes naturally. For others, it takes hard work and determination to memorize verses.

In the Bible, God commands us to love God and love others. This is the central doctrine of the Bible. Let’s look at Matthew 22:36-40. Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV) states, “Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If this is the greatest commandment of all time, then why are churches more focused on how to grow their program, then teaching them how to Love God and Love Others. How are we teaching children and students to share the Truth in Love? How are teaching the children that the source of Truth comes from God?

In the End, God is the one who will judge the people’s actions, not us. We are mere seed-planters. When we do not show love to everyone, we will be isolated and will not have the Love of God. It takes more strength to forgive someone of their wrongdoing, then attacking them. We should lovingly explain the truth of God’s Word to people and still the person will not be converted because they are not listening to the Word of God with open ears and with open hearts. However, we just planted the seed. We should pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sin in God’s timing. God is a God of miracles. God calls us to practice the doctrine of Loving God and Loving Others because it is the greatest commandment of all time.