A blessed weekend & sharing a few things 🎄 Give the gift of LOVE this Ch...

Mark 12 verses 28 to 31

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS

For the next few devotions, I want to focus on Christmas… which are based on a devotion from Right From The Heart Ministries.

And today we are reading from: Mark 12:28-31

 ‘One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”’ 

Loving God means faith in action. But if that’s the case, then how do we live that out?

The answer is obedience. Faith in action means obeying God’s commandments. That pretty much covers the first part of today’s Scripture - to love God with everything we have.

But today, I want to focus more on the second commandment in the verse: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

But the first thing we need to understand is what the word “love” really means. The LOVE referenced in these verses has nothing to do with feelings or emotions. It doesn’t even have anything to do with liking another person.

This kind of LOVE is a decision of the will – whether you feel like loving or not.

So how are we to love somebody if I don’t even like them?

 Here’s how… you:

    Treat them fairly.

    Show them respect.

    Be honest with them.

    Keep your word.

In this way we are demonstrating that we care. through our actions.

Now, there are many things we can add to that list because there are many ways to demonstrate love towards people, even those you might not necessarily like.

But there is something else we must consider… Have you ever thought about the eternal destiny of those around you?

Take a moment and think about your neighbors… How well do you really know them? 

I mean really know your neighbors.

Because it takes more than just a quick wave and a hello, to show your neighbors you care.

Jesus tells us in Mark 12:31, to “love your neighbor as yourself”.

This means knowing that you have loved them enough to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with them, especially now during the Christmas season.

There’s no better time than today!

Yes, life Happens…. And sometimes we can experience difficult neighbors, but this season it’s my hope that we can -

GIVE THE GIFT OF LOVE THIS CHRISTMAS. And demonstrate our Christian love and love our neighbor as yourself.