Doing What Matters Most
There’s a lot of things that matter in this life, but what’s essential is that you do what matters the most. By doing this, you won’t waste time and your life won’t be in vain.
There was a time when some religious leaders, called the Pharisees, gathered together to test Jesus. One of them asked Him which is the greatest commandment in the law? He answered quickly and clearly. Look what the Bible says,
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 22:37-40
In this passage, we see the two things that matter the most. Loving God and loving people. Now let’s unpack this.
1. Loving God.
Notice Jesus didn’t just say, “You shall love the Lord your God.” He said to do it “with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This brings an intensity and depth to the command. Jesus is telling you that you cannot be casual in your relationship with the Father. You must love Him with everything within you. King David modeled this for us when he said, “My soul clings hard to You; Your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8, MEV). The NIRV says, “I hold on to you tightly. Your powerful right hand takes good care of me.”
Everyone loves the idea of God’s powerful right hand taking good care of them. And there’s nothing wrong with that. One should rejoice in that promise and expect God to take care of them. Nonetheless, one should ask themselves, “Does my soul cling hard to the Father?” “Am I holding on to Him tightly?” If not, it’s time to recapture your deep love for the Lord. It’s time to give the Lord all that you’ve got. No more holding back.
How does this translate practically? Reading and studying your Bible ferociously. Praying without ceasing. Obeying His Word and the voice of His Spirit in every situation. Coming to church consistently, tithing faithfully and giving generously. Living holy and abstaining from that which displeases Him. This is the call to live out Romans 12:11, “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”The truth is, you can do it!
2. Loving people.
Before we explore this, let’s get the elephant out of the room. Yes, people can be difficult to love. But it’s your God-given responsibility to love them anyway. Yes, people can be annoying and bothersome. Yet, it’s your God-given responsibility to be patient and gentle with them anyway. Jesus constantly talked about love and demonstrated it over and over again in His earthly ministry.
Today, you are His body - the body of Christ. You are His heart, hands and feet in the earth. You are His voice of love and compassion. Since He gave to the poor, you must give to the poor. Since He forgave and lifted up people, you must forgive and lift up people. Anything Jesus did for people, He expects you to do the same. The truth is, this is what loving your neighbor as yourself looks like.
