Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

4 February 2025

Reading From Matthew 22:23-46

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love 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 your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

–Matthew 22:34-40

     I love that the Greatest Commandment is all about love.  This should not come as a surprise to any of us, because the Scriptures reveal to us that God is love.  We experience so much love from Him and His love inspires us to love Him in return.  We show our love for God by listening to Him and following Him in humble obedience.  An essential part of showing love for God is in having compassion for other human beings and expressing that compassion in practical ways. 

     In fact, the Lord said that if we do not love others, we do prove that we do not love God.  So many of us struggle with self-hatred.  We know that Jesus does not want us to treat others with hatred, let alone ourselves.  To love as Jesus showed us to, we need to learn more about how He sees us and how He sees others.  Having proper perspective and godly principles from the Word of God will help us love Him, love others and love ourselves as He does.  We will be shaped into healthy, balanced, well-rounded disciples. 

“Lord Jesus, please fill our hearts with Your love all over again.  Fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit.  Wash over us with Your goodness and mercy, Lord.  Move us with Your kindness to extend this same love to others around us.  Give us healthy perspective on You, on others and on ourselves.  Thank You for Your love, marvelous Jesus.  In Your Name I pray, Amen.”

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

—John 13:34-35