The Framework Of Love

Read Proverbs 9

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31

Our twelve encounters with this central proverb have only scratched its surface. The better we understand this great commandment, the more it challenges us. No other proverb gives us a challenge more applicable every single day.

As a thought for further meditation, consider that this proverb implies or describes ten types of love: (1) God’s love for us; (2) God’s love for our neighbor; (3) our heart-love for God; (4) our soul-love for God; (5) our mind-love for God; (6) our strength-love for God; (7) our love for our neighbor; (8) our love for ourselves; (9) our neighbor’s love for God; and (10) our neighbor’s love for us. Meditating on these will require considerable exposure to the rest of Scripture.

Consider also how this great two-part commandment exactly summarizes the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17. Remember that an increased understanding of the deep things of God will broaden your responsibility to apply them in your life.

A WORD FOR TODAY

The greatest proverb—“Love God.”

Today, Lord, renew my commitment to be a doer of your Word, applying this great commandment throughout my life.