Our paragraph topic is: (The great commandment) Part 6.
They stood before him burning with pride thinking that they knew the Law. They were the scholars, the ones who had studied the Law for years from the masters. They were the Pharisees, the religious ones that the people revered for their knowledge and wisdom. Yet here was Christ who had not formal training of the Law who knew what they knew and more.
They came time and time again asking questions to trick him before the crowds. And the went away time and time again having failed in their endeavors. The crowds saw their failures and were amazed at the knowledge and wisdom of Christ. They thought that they knew the great commandment of the Law, but they did not know the second great commandment. So Christ told them: "And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' "
These are two powerful commandments upon which the whole Law is built upon. Love your God with your whole heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself, concepts which are completely contrary to the beliefs we live by today. It is given to us from birth that every man should be for himself when the time comes. If it comes down to who lives and who dies between to people most would choose themselves. In the world of getting ahead we would do most anything to our neighbor to promote ourselves and downplay our co-workers. So these principles that are given to us from Christ requires practice and work to accomplice in today's world.
But there is something more to the picture than meets the eye if we look beyond the words and understand the truth of who we are in Christ. We are spiritual beings not physical persons even though we occupy the physical shell for the moment. For those who know themselves, the light within tells them that they are created in the image and likeness of God our creator. And he has given us a home, a place more beautiful, more wonderful than anything that this world could ever offer. Nothing in this world can fulfill our wants and desires except his love. And his love is so overwhelming that it fills us with everlasting joy and happiness.
It is that love that we would like to share. It is that love that we would like to give to others. It is that love that we would like others to know for themselves, if they choose. For love is freely given and not forced. Love is shared and not demanded. Love is open to all who would accept and those who will not accept, love is still there. For God is love and he would love all his creation but he gave free will to accept or reject. And those who reject, pray that their eyes are opened that they may see the truth of who they are in Christ before the thief comes and takes away their choice.
God is merciful. God is loving. God is forgiving. God is patient until the end.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
They stood before him burning with pride thinking that they knew the Law. They were the scholars, the ones who had studied the Law for years from the masters. They were the Pharisees, the religious ones that the people revered for their knowledge and wisdom. Yet here was Christ who had not formal training of the Law who knew what they knew and more.
They came time and time again asking questions to trick him before the crowds. And the went away time and time again having failed in their endeavors. The crowds saw their failures and were amazed at the knowledge and wisdom of Christ. They thought that they knew the great commandment of the Law, but they did not know the second great commandment. So Christ told them: "And the second is like it, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' "
These are two powerful commandments upon which the whole Law is built upon. Love your God with your whole heart, soul, and mind; and love your neighbor as you love yourself, concepts which are completely contrary to the beliefs we live by today. It is given to us from birth that every man should be for himself when the time comes. If it comes down to who lives and who dies between to people most would choose themselves. In the world of getting ahead we would do most anything to our neighbor to promote ourselves and downplay our co-workers. So these principles that are given to us from Christ requires practice and work to accomplice in today's world.
But there is something more to the picture than meets the eye if we look beyond the words and understand the truth of who we are in Christ. We are spiritual beings not physical persons even though we occupy the physical shell for the moment. For those who know themselves, the light within tells them that they are created in the image and likeness of God our creator. And he has given us a home, a place more beautiful, more wonderful than anything that this world could ever offer. Nothing in this world can fulfill our wants and desires except his love. And his love is so overwhelming that it fills us with everlasting joy and happiness.
It is that love that we would like to share. It is that love that we would like to give to others. It is that love that we would like others to know for themselves, if they choose. For love is freely given and not forced. Love is shared and not demanded. Love is open to all who would accept and those who will not accept, love is still there. For God is love and he would love all his creation but he gave free will to accept or reject. And those who reject, pray that their eyes are opened that they may see the truth of who they are in Christ before the thief comes and takes away their choice.
God is merciful. God is loving. God is forgiving. God is patient until the end.
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage nd then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ . The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in.
