We’ve been told as Christians to do one and one thing only. Preach the Gospel. But some, if not most and myself included, have taken it upon themselves the preach the letters. The letters are designed as a way to understand how us as Christians should live. So we’ve taken that as not only as how we should live our lives but how everyone should should live their lives. Which in turn has created a mockery of the Christian faith.
I’ve read through the Gospel a couple of times and only recently until I had someone in my life open my eyes as to what “Preach the Gospel” actually means.
Luke 10 says
25 And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
Matthew 22 says
34 But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. 35 One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him,36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
Mark 12 says
28 One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; 30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
John 13 says
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A little different…but not really.
Matthew, Mark and Luke say to love God and love people. John just says love people.
Love people like yourself. I don’t like being told what to do and how to act if there’s no harm being done. Per example I was coming inside to my church to grab something and go back outside and I had my hat on and some random guy that attends the church told me in a scolding way “we don’t wear hats in the Lord’s house.”
Sound familiar?
We may not be talking about hats, but when we tell people that don’t know Christ how to live and they act in hostility towards us, should we be shocked? The Gospel is about love. Show love to others. If they’re hungry give them food. If they’re hurt, heal them. If they’re angry, listen to them. If they’re mourning, cry with them. If they have joy, celebrate with them.
We’re called to show God’s love and through His love brings change.
This message is more of a reminder for myself, but I figured I’d share.
Death of Me 