THE DEVOTED LIFESTYLE
To love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind as Jesus instructed in Matthew 22:37 has got to be a life-long pursuit. This love relationship is tested again and again so beware to the wimps of relationships.
Jesus, nor I, nor many other Pillars of the Faith will ever tell you that this road of faith is easy. In my perspective, Matthew 22:37-39 should read something like this -
"'Love [Devote yourself to] 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 [care for] your neighbor as [you would care for] yourself.'"
Sometimes loving or devoting yourself to God, even with visible proofs of His presence, while not seeing the actual person of Christ - is difficult. Jesus even said, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
However, notice that Jesus did not stop us from loving our family; Jesus did not say for us to not love our parents, siblings and friends. He did say those who love family "more than me" are "not worthy of me". In fact, John records Jesus stating, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13).
Every believer that has not seen Christ Jesus since His ascension is "blessed". Not that Thomas, the disciples in that room and others who had seen Jesus are not blessed - just their faith has been made sight. Paul, stated "I am convinced" several times concerning God's love and care during his challenged life. For the rest of the believing faithful - we are confident in what we hope for and assured about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). This confidence, this hope, this assurance comes from The Devoted Lifestyle.
Jesus, nor I, nor many other Pillars of the Faith will ever tell you that this road of faith is easy. In my perspective, Matthew 22:37-39 should read something like this -
Sometimes loving or devoting yourself to God, even with visible proofs of His presence, while not seeing the actual person of Christ - is difficult. Jesus even said, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37)
However, notice that Jesus did not stop us from loving our family; Jesus did not say for us to not love our parents, siblings and friends. He did say those who love family "more than me" are "not worthy of me". In fact, John records Jesus stating, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:13).
The whole point to life is relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Jesus said, He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Knowing that Christ is all this for us is one thing. Living out a life that trusts in that is another. Placing Christ first in all that you do and being wholehearted about your devotion to God is what I believe Jesus was communicating in Matthew 22:37-39 and 10:37.
This type of devotion is tested with our limited senses. Thomas, the disciple known as Doubting Thomas, trumpets this point loudly. He wanted the unseen to meet the seen; he wanted faith to live with reality.
The response of Jesus to Thomas and anybody feeling as Thomas was - "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)
Every believer that has not seen Christ Jesus since His ascension is "blessed". Not that Thomas, the disciples in that room and others who had seen Jesus are not blessed - just their faith has been made sight. Paul, stated "I am convinced" several times concerning God's love and care during his challenged life. For the rest of the believing faithful - we are confident in what we hope for and assured about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). This confidence, this hope, this assurance comes from The Devoted Lifestyle.
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