First Baptist Church of Bolivar
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
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“Following Jesus’ Way”
“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.” (-Jesus, Mk.12:29-31)
This passage is famously known as “the great love command”, and as “The Jesus Creed” (S. McKnight). Jesus says these two foundational commands are greater (weightier) than any others. Following Jesus’ way means our obedience to these two love commands are everyday priorities.
Jesus summarizes His Way quoting the OT: (Dt.6:4-5; Lev.19:18)
Shema (Heb. “hear”) quoted 2x/day- summary/cornerstone of the Law
(Dt.6:4-9: 11:13-21; Num.15:37-41). Jesus wisely responds from
Scripture He’s known His whole life! A concise statement of faith.
Jesus orients all of life around two relationships:
Vertical- with “the Lord our God”- “Godward”;unity-common profession
A singular devotion, whole-hearted pathos (undivided commitment).
Horizontal- with other people (“your neighbor”)- “manward”; diversity of
expression: commitment to love one God diversely expressed in love
for others (J. Brooks).
Jesus commands that we are to be known by our “love” (Jn.13:34-35):
*Love God with the entirety of your life- w/ the “super-totality”
(Kernaghan) of your being: an integrity (wholeness of life)- heart,
mind, soul, strength: “with every fiber of our being” (G. Osborne);
“a matter of will and action” (Wm. Lane).
*Love your neighbor as yourself- no love for God w/o love for neighbor!
(cf. 1Jn.4:20; Gal.6:10; James 3:9-10, et al) Jesus defines neighbor
as anyone we encounter, who needs our help (cf. Lk.10:30-37).
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