The Greatest Commandment (Matt 22.34-40) - 2-13-22

Scripture texts are Deuteronomy 6.1-9 and Matthew 22.34-40 from the subject, “The Greatest Commandment.”There are different Greek words for love in the Bible. The four we are most familiar with are:a.Eros – sensual or romantic type of love like in Song of Solomon and Valentine’s Day.b.Storge – familial love that we have for family members - our relatives.c.Phileo – brotherly love that we should have for neighbors and especially believers.d.Agape – perfect, unconditional, sacrificial, and pure love, like God’s love for humanity. Agape love is a decision. It’s action. I commit to love you even though I am not feeling it emotionally at the moment. God, I love You even though my heart is bleeding right now due to a recent loss, or a trauma I’m experiencing, or a crisis my loved one is going through.I am going to love You, Jesus, even on the rainy days. I refuse to be a sunny day Christian who only loves and follows Jesus when things are going right in my life. I will not be emotionally driven. I will be Holy Spirit driven who teaches me how to love God completely day by day. When I love God completely I can love others compassionately.Amen.