Remember the passage from Matthew? Jesus responded to the
lawyer’s question by quoting from the Shema, which is the Jewish confession of
faith. When He quoted the Shema, He quoted from Deuteronomy:
Hear, O
Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and
with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that
I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to
your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house,
and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign
on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the
doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut
6:4-9 (ESV)
The Lord is One.
What does that mean? That phrase reminds me that although God has three parts –
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – the three are really one. The whole Trinity
thing can be baffling, I know. But fortunately, God wired me so that I don’t
worry about stuff like this – He said it, and that settles it for me! If you
want to read more about the Trinity, just ask. There are many resources to help
explain (or perhaps even confuse you more!)
How often do you talk of God’s Word? Is it just a Sunday
kind of thing – during church and small group – or do you talk of God and learn
of God every day? Does God expect us to simply memorize His word? What role
should God’s Word play in our lives?
Some people think that the Old Testament was for “them” –
for the people who lived before Christ came and died for our salvation. But
Paul wrote:
For
whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that
through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have
hope. 5 May
the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with
one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans
15:4-6 (ESV)
What do Paul’s words tell you about the importance of the entire
Bible?
When we are tasked with teaching, we tend to learn during
the process. When we consider God’s Word – read, meditate, journal, pray,
discuss – how does it impact our lives? Can we become “perfect” by reading
God’s Word? Will we still sin?
We know that it’s impossible to live a perfect life for God.
It hasn’t been possible since the sin in the Garden. But we are expected to
try. So, practically speaking, what does
it mean to love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your might?
Following God is a big job. But daily, with His help and
with support of fellow Christians, we can learn to walk in His ways. Take some
time to talk with God and ask Him which areas He would like you to focus on to
love Him with your heart, soul and mind!
Are you still reading through the Bible every day? I’d like
to know how that is impacting your life! Email me with your stories. See you
Friday?
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