ENan and I were traveling to meet some friends for lunch when we spotted a church sign that read, “We love others best when we love God most.” I commented to ENan that something felt a little off to me about the sign. “I don’t disagree with the statement,” I said, “I just would have put it a little differently.” “How so?” she asked inquisitively. “I think I would have said, “We love God best when we love others.” “Do you want to go back and tell them your version?” she asked politely. “No,” I said, “But I still think mine is better.” (For those who follow Enneagram thought, I am an 8.)
When Jesus was asked to pick the greatest of all the commandments, he couldn’t give them just one. Without hesitation he quoted “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” He immediately followed his answer with, “And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 22:29-31) Loving God is not complete until and unless we also love others.
Jesus spent the last night of his life on earth with his disciples. After the meal, he wanted to make sure his disciples grasped the essence of his message. “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) The defining characteristic of a follower of Jesus is love.
One of those followers of Jesus echoed the voice of Jesus in his letters. “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (1 John 4)
With Valentines Day happening this week, there will be a lot of talk about love. The love that God gives us – and asks us to extend to others – never gives up, cares more for others than for self, doesn’t strut, doesn’t fly off the handle, isn’t always me first, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.(1 Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG)
We love God best when we love others.
-Dr. Jim Baldwin
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