October 22, 2024
As Jackie DeShannon sang in the Bert Bacharach/Hal David hit from the 1960s, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love; it’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” And though the song came out nearly six decades ago, its message is more relevant than ever.
It certainly connects with this reply given by Jesus when He was asked to name the greatest commandment: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39 NASB). As you ponder this brief passage, consider these three commands of Christ.
Love God — He loves us so much that He gave His only Son to die on our behalf. According to the Bible, “The one who does not love God does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8 NASB).
An Our Daily Bread devotion tells the story about a farmer visiting London for the first time. Making his way into an art gallery, he soon stood transfixed before a painting of Jesus on the cross. Oblivious to others around him and with tears in his eyes, he cried out, “Bless the Lord! Oh, how I love Him, how I love Him.”
Soon, a stranger came up and said, “I love Him too!” Then another, grabbing the farmer’s hand, exclaimed, “And I love Him too.” A third one came, then a fourth, and yet another, until soon a small group of men had gathered to publicly express love for their Savior. And while this account may seem unusual, even awkward to some, it should be commonplace, given God’s unconditional and sacrificial love for His children.
Love others — With the horizontal connection between the Father and us established, it’s time to spread that love horizontally to our “neighbors.” As Jesus said to His disciples the night before His crucifixion, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 NASB).
Paul writes, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 NASB). The Bible also says, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 NASB). Add to that this anonymous quote, “One thing that we may have but which we cannot keep for ourselves is divine love. Love unexpressed will soon be love dispossessed.”
Love yourself — Note that Jesus says “love your neighbor as yourself.” Regarding husbands, Paul penned, “Each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself … (Ephesians 5:33 NASB).
I remember as a new Christian in my 20s having an older preacher say, “I think Todd likes Todd.” He was right. Todd likes Todd. In fact, Todd loves Todd. Why shouldn’t I? I am fearfully and wonderfully made, created in the image of God, with the Holy Spirit living in me.
Self-love helps create a positive image of ourselves. It motivates us to take proper care of ourselves and strive to be the best person we can be.
Problems arise, however, when self-love progresses into self-absorption and narcissism. Verses such as the following help protect us from this downward spiral: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3, NASB).
According to Augustine, “How does one become lovely? By loving Him who is ever lovely.” Love God with all your heart, allowing His love for you to spill out on those around you. It’s what the world needs now, more than ever.
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Rev. Gaddis has been a pastor for over 34 years, 25 of those in Georgia. He lives in Athens and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.
