The Love Rule

The Love Rule

God woke me up this morning with this message to share today so I know this will hit home.

In Matthew 19, Jesus has been talking with the rich young ruler. The ruler is asking Jesus what "good thing" must I do to inherit eternal life.(vs.16) Jesus tells him that the only one good is God but to inherit eternal life, all the ruler has to do is obey God's commands. (vs. 17) "Obedience is God's love language." (Wisdom Hunters, 2/24/2011) I find it interesting that the ruler asks Jesus, "Which ones?" (vs. 18) How often do we do the same thing and pick and choose which of God's commands or rules we want to follow. Jesus replies to the ruler's question by saying this, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " (vs .19) Basically, Jesus started telling the ruler specifics of not murdering, committing adultery but then He sums it up by saying, ultimately, what I want you to do is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

This idea has always intrigued me and more so now than ever. You see, I never really loved myself before. I tolerated myself, I liked certain parts about myself but I did not, in any way, shape or form, love myself. I couldn't, for one reason and for one reason alone, I didn't know the extent of the love of my Daddy God. I thought that God screwed up in creating me. I thought I was an accident. I thought I was unworthy of love. So, as I tried to follow the command of loving your neighbor as yourself, I would fail every time because I didn't love me and I couldn't comprehend God's love for me.

Recently, all of this has changed as my eyes have been opened to my Daddy's love. He created everything about me, just as He desired, before the foundation of the Earth! Not only did He create me but He loves me with an everlasting, unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus as an atonement for my sins so that I would be able to be in perpetual communion with Him! He loves me sooo much! Understanding and recognizing His love has propelled me into a love for myself that I have never known before. And as a result, my love for Him is growing and my ability to love my neighbor as myself is actually real. Because I love Natalie, I can love you, my neighbor.

Let's look at this on an even more practical level and in looking at love in light of 1 Corinthians 13:3-8:
I am patient with myself and others because I knows God is patient with me. (2 Peter 3:9)
I am kind to myself and others because I know God is full of loving-kindness. (Ps 31:3)
I am not envious of others because I know God has designed and created me just as He wanted and He will give me those things He wants me to have. (Ps 139: 13-16)
I am not boastful because I know that in my flesh there is no good thing but instead I boast in the Lord. (1 Cor 1:31)
I am not proud because I know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
I am not rude because I know that this life is not about me but serving Him and serving others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not self-seeking because I am called to look after the interests of others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not easily angered with myself or others because God is slow to get angry with me. (Ps 103:8)
I no longer keep records of wrongs done by myself and by others because God keeps no record of my sins. (Is 43:25)
I do not delight in evil but rather in truth of God's word. (1 Tim 2:4)
I always protect myself and others because I know God protects me. (Ps 32:7)
I always trust the Jesus in me and lead not on my own understanding. (Pr 3:5-6)
I always hope the best for myself and for others because I know my hope comes from God. (Ps 62:5)
I always persevere for myself and for others because I will receive what He has promised. (Heb 10:36)
I will try not to fail myself or others but I know that I am flesh and blood and am incapable of perfection. But instead of coming under condemnation, I will repent of my sins and failures and allow God's grace and love to cover over the multitude of my sins and the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8)

Daddy, I am so thankful that you have loved me with a never-ending love. I am thankful that you have helped me to learn to love the unique creation that you have so rightly called Natalie. I am thankful that as an outpouring of my love for you and my love for self, I am truly able to love my neighbors as I love myself thus following the love rule. I pray for my friends that are in desperate need of knowing your love because only when we do, can we truly love ourselves. I pray that you would reveal Your love to them in tangible ways today and that the eyes of their hearts would be open to see and receive it all. I thank you for bringing this to pass! I love you Daddy!