04/24/2025
Iāve been mulling this over a lot lately, and during my Bible time this morning Mark 12 : 28ā34 jumped off the page. Iāve read it before, but today it hit different.
Jesus puts staggering weight on one wordālove. We toss that word around like loose change, yet God calls us to love in a way thatās costly, intentional, and unmistakable. Judging by the division we seeāeven inside the churchāyouād think we forgot what love looks like.
Division is everywhereāonline, at work, even in the pewsābut that was never Godās design. When asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus answered:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
āThere is no commandment greater than these.ā (Mark 12 : 30ā31)
He didnāt mention denominations, politics, flawless church attendance, or resume-worthy works. Without love, the rest is just noise (1 Cor 13 : 1ā3).
Love Is NonāNegotiable...
1. It fulfills the whole Law
āAll the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.ā (Matt 22 : 40)
Paul echoes it: āWhoever loves others has fulfilled the law⦠Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.ā (Rom 13 : 8ā10)
š Every rule God ever gave points back to loving Him and loving people.
2. Real disciples are measured by love, not agreement
āBy this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.ā (John 13 : 34ā35)
People should recognize Christ in us long before they know our stance on every issue.
3. Unity was Jesusā dying wish for us
āI pray⦠that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.ā (John 17 : 20ā23)
Our oneness is meant to prove to the world that the Father sent the Son. When we split and squabble, that witness cracks.
4. Hatred exposes a counterfeit faith
āWhoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.ā (1 John 4 : 20ā21)
John doesnāt sugarācoat it: you canāt love an invisible God while despising the visible imageābearer in front of you.
Itās natural to withhold love from enemies or from those who dismiss us. But Jesus asks, āIf you love those who love you, what reward will you get?ā (Matt 5 : 46).
True Christians are called to be set apartāwe pull away from fleshly habits and live the way Jesus told us to: Love God wholeheartedly. Love people sacrificially.
I hope this reminder settles into the quiet places of your heart and nudges its way into every corner of your week. May it color your conversations, soften your reactions, and guide each small decision, whether that looks like corralling kids, clocking in at work, or scrolling past that post that normally riles you up.
Little acts done in His name carry kingdom weight.
Cheering you on as you love God big and love people well. Have a beautiful, graceāsoaked week, friend. ā¤ļø