"Loving God, Loving Others," is a phrase you hear thrown around in church circles a lot these days. It's true that these principles are the simplification of the greatest two commandments. But when we say, "love God, love others," what does that really mean? The abbreviated version of what Jesus said can potentially minimize the intention of the command.
When asked what the greatest command was, Jesus responded by highlighting the majesty, glory and supreme authority of God. He then moves onto loving God. But Jesus' command isn't casual love. The love Jesus calls for involves every element of our being; ALL our heart, ALL our soul, ALL our mind, ALL our strength. Loving God as Jesus commands requires a passionate, all out pursuit, reckless abandon, throw caution to the wind kind of love.
God isn't interested in our ritual love. The man in this passage tell Jesus that he's learned that recognizing the authority of God in his life and pouring himself out to God and genuinely loving others is more important than a lifetime of burnt offerings and sacrifices. He knows that God isn't interested in lip service and outward signs of spirituality that have no meaning. He wants us to love Him with every ounce of our being. God said, "to obey is better than sacrifice."
Paul talks about being poured out like a drink offering to God. That's the kind of love which pleases God; to empty the pitcher before God, draining every last drop. When that happens, God refills our pitcher with His presence, glorious riches, understanding and we truly become one with Him.
But here's the kicker; once we've poured ourselves completely out, emptied ourselves of our agendas, wills, etc. and God fills us up again, we become His vessel that is to be poured out into the lives of others. That's why loving others is part of this command. A lot of believers empty themselves initially and when God pours into them His freshness, they want to keep it in their pitcher. They never pour it out into the lives of others. They talk a lot about what's in their pitcher and what God poured into them.
Eventually, that which God pours into you becomes stagnant if you don't pour it back out. God can't give you anything really fresh unless you empty yourself. Sure God tops you off once in a while what has evaporated or the little you do pour out, but a fresh fill can't happen until we empty our jug. Loving others as yourself means pouring into others passionately desiring them to receive what God has given you.
God, I want to pour myself out before you as a drink offering. Continue to fill me as I pour myself out to others with a desire for them to experience you, as you intended.
No comments:
Post a Comment