The Love Connection

There are countless important truths in this week’s daily readings.  Many are instructions about what to do and not do.  However, all these “do’s and don’ts” can be overwhelming.  Like attempting to keep multiple plates spinning all at once.

The good news is God has simplified every “do and don’t” into just one command.  To see this command in this week’s reading, notice the thread connecting each of the 3 books we read from.

• Hebrews 13:1-3 (KJV)

Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 

• James 2:8-9 (KJV)

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

• And in Genesis 22, we read how Abraham is directed to sacrifice Isaac, only to be stopped at the last moment.In both Abraham’s willingness to obey and in God’s provision of another sacrifice, we also see the love connection.

The ‘Love Connection’ links all three passages.  Even though Genesis 22 doesn’t use the word ‘love’, Abraham’s love for God empowered his faith to do the unthinkable.

Abraham’s process likely went something like this: “God is Love and Love cannot lie.  So, God will raise him up if I plunge this knife into my child" – and we see this in his statement, “He will provide Himself a lamb” when Isaac asked his father what they were going to sacrifice.  Abraham knew Isaac must live for God to fulfill His Promise.

Love empowered Abraham to obey God, and Love will empower you to obey His commands too – no matter how challenging they seem.

Jesus said it like this, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:10, 12-13 NIV)

Under the Old Covenant, Israel was required to obey more than 600 laws (including The Ten Commandments).  In contrast, in our new and better Covenant there is just one law: the Royal Law of Love.

So, let’s practise following hard after love and allow the “Love Connection” to empower our lives as we walk in simple obedience to His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit.