The Greatest Commandment

The greatest Commandment

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “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.” 
Matthew 22:34-40

This passage of scripture tells it all.
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 we truly love the Lord as Jesus is saying here we will want to serve Him in whatever we do. Thus we cannot help but love our fellow man, our neighbour.
Paul makes it clear what true love is like when he states,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts,

 always hopes,

 always perseveres. 

Love never fails.” 

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

If we are truly followers of Jesus we will indeed love even our worst enemy and want to lead them into the path of salvation.
This is what God was doing when he sent Jesus down to us.
God does not care how bad the sin he simply loves the sinner and has made a way for them to enter heaven.
By believing that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. By confessing their sin directly to God in prayer. By accepting Christ’s atoning death on the cross. And by letting Jesus enter their hearts.
The only way people can know the way to heaven is if we as Christians show the love of Christ to them.
A long time ago at a church I attended, the pastor put a very large sign up it read,
“This church for Sinners Only. All are welcome.”
That is if you think about is who the church is for.
The gospel of Matthew records this encounter Jesus had with some Pharisees. They asked,
“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 
                 Matthew 9:11-13.
Question?
Is your church congregation an accepting place for sinners? Would a person not wearing good clothing be accepted as equal without being looked down on if they showed up to the Sunday morning service.
Is your church truly inclusive and by inclusive I mean inclusive. Would someone from the Gay and Lesbian community be accepted?
Would someone from other faiths be accepted.
I am not saying here we should compromise our beliefs. Far from it. It has been my experience that those entering our churches are curious and looking for meaning in life.
Sadly however they are turned off because of someone be it a pastor or even someone in the pews judging and condemning them. This should not be so.
We are called to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone who will listen and what better place than in a church congregation.
Think about it.