Loving God Starts with Loving Your Neighbours:

Jesus' twin commandments recorded in Matthew 22:37-40 are exactly the same. Therefore, the first commandment is incomplete without fulfilling the second. In fact, Jesus teaches us to love our neighbours before loving God - "Keep your offering at the altar, and return to love your neighbour first; then come back to offer," as recorded in Scripture:

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24, NIV)

Eradicating Estrangement through Acknowledgement:

We must acknowledge and make amends for our mistakes to eradicate estrangement with our neighbours. Even if we're not at fault, approaching them with humility is necessary to resolve the issue. By doing so, estrangement can be eradicated as both parties cultivate a sense of repentance and love. Those who deeply love God, reverence Him, and remain faithful move forward to resolve estrangement with their neighbours, as written in scripture:

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)

The Hallmarks of Genuine Devotion:

Those who have reverence for God and a solid faith in Him will undoubtedly acknowledge and take responsibility for their wrongdoing. By seeking forgiveness from their neighbours, they will demonstrate their genuine devotion and faithfulness to God. A person with real reverence for God will never allow even the smallest falsehood to take root among their neighbours.

The aforementioned approach to cultivating genuine reverence, devotion, and faith in God enables us to fulfill Jesus' first and second commandments, which are essentially the same.

Reflecting on Our Actions:

We must wholeheartedly ask ourselves these questions: Are we fulfilling both commandments? Do I have any unresolved conflicts or issues with my neighbours? Do I desire to be a devoted follower of God? Do I wish to have faith and reverence for God? If so, Scripture reminds us following:

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)

“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, NIV)

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34, NIV)

The Criterion for Eternal Judgment:

Thus, our love for neighbours serves as the measure of our reverence, devotion, and faith in God. This will be the standard by which we are judged, as warned in Scripture:

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (Matthew 25:35, NIV)

Indeed, this is a truth worth remembering for eternal life, as Scripture reminds us:

Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Proverbs 16:6, NIV)

A Step Towards Receiving Wisdom and the Holy Spirit:

Our deep love for neighbors demonstrates our reverence, devotion, and faith in God. Jesus' disciples demonstrated their reverence, devotion, and faith in God by obeying His two commandments, thereby receiving wisdom and the Holy Spirit. As Scripture reminds us:

No one has ever learned your will, unless you first gave him Wisdom, and sent your holy spirit down to him. (Wisdom 9:17, GNT)

We need to demonstrate our love for both neighbors and God, as I have emphasized throughout, to receive Wisdom and the Holy Spirit, as written in Scripture:

To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord.[a] Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. (Proverbs 1:7, GNT)

The disciples and prophets received Wisdom and the Holy Spirit, showing that we too can receive them by demonstrating our reverence, devotion, and faith through obedience to Jesus' two commandments.

A fool is one who neither loves God nor neighbours, lacking reverence, devotion, and faith.

A Divine Invitation to Act:

Let us move towards receiving wisdom and the Holy Spirit by demonstrating our reverence, faith and devotion to God, rather than merely lifting our hands to heaven in supplication.

To be Continued…..

==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Loving Self-Soul Demonstrates Love for Neighbours’ that transforms our faith journey.

Amen!

Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.

Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!

Jharkhand! Peace be upon you!!

India! Peace be upon you!!

Peace to the whole world!!