THE PRINCIPLES OF A GODLY LIFE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY NOVEMBER, 12, 2021.

SUBJECT : THE PRINCIPLES OF A GODLY LIFE!

Memory verse: "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 10 vs 12.)

READ: Mark 12 vs 28 - 31:

12:28; Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?” 

12:29: Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

12:30: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. 

12:31: And the second, like it, is this: ‘ You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

INTIMATION:

The principles by which one must live life is summed up in the statement Jesus here makes; “You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” And “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” With such love one establishes a correct relationship with God and man by obedience to His will. If one loves God, obedience to His word will be the natural part of his or her life. If we love God with all our heart, our affections and feelings must be directed toward what God would have us be in our lives. A wise person once said, "When God measures you, He puts the tape around your heart, not your head." So how is your heart doing? 

Love is the motivation by which law is put into action in our lives. In our relationship with God we keep His commandments because we love Him. (First John 4 vs 15.) If we love God with all our soul, our character must focus on God. If we love God with all our mind, all our intellectual capabilities must also be focused on knowing God and His will. If we love God with all our strength, all our physical and mental abilities must also be directed toward serving God. 

This the totality of the human personality. The emphasis, therefore, is that the totality of man must be given to God. One must not “visit” God occasionally in times of trouble and need. He must be the central focus of one’s existence. All of one’s life must be consumed with the presence of God. Jesus called this the first and greatest commandment because once one establishes God as the one who should reign in his or her heart, then everything else will follow (see Matthew 6 vs 33.) Life is not about life itself, but about worship of God and obedience to His will. 

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The establishment of this principle in one’s life determines our relationship with our fellow man. Love of our neighbor is the foundation upon which our behavior toward our fellow man is directed. Consequently, we should deal justly because we love our fellow man as ourselves. 

In our relationship with God we can respond and obey either out of love or out of fear.

When we realize God's desire to be our Faithful Companion in our relationship, we find Him less an authority figure and more a desirable companion Who is no less in charge in our lives. We now realize He is on our side, how much He wants the best for us, and how absolutely dependable He is. The inborn unhealthy fear of God that stems from our sin nature, and is often stirred up by the enemy of our souls is weakening as we are getting a clearer picture of who He really is.

Unfortunately many people never really seek Him with all their heart. They are content to learn as a child would. That is, learning and following rules in order to avoid big problems, but not as willing to spend any great period of time with the Lord in the free time they have. There is little delight in the relationship, only obedience out of necessity. They have salvation from penalty of sin, but they will enter heaven "through the flames" (First Corinthians 3 vs 15). They are yet to cross that line of spiritual familial relationship into spiritual heart relationship.

God’s laws are not burdensome. They can be reduced to two simple principles: Love God and love others. When you love God completely and care for others as you care for yourself, then you have fulfilled the intent of the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament laws. According to our Messiah, these two commandments summarize all God’s laws. Let them rule your thoughts, decisions, and actions. When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others.

Prayer: Abba Father, My utmost heart desire is an intimate relationship with You. Endue me with the excellent spirit of love for You and others. Build in my heart Your steadfast spirit, so as to follow and obey You in every aspect of my life, in Jesus' Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!