When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus answered with two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (emphasis mine). Andy Stanley made an interesting comment. Andy Stanley said that the phrase “the second is like it” is not hierarchical, that is, the second is less important than the first. But rather, complementary, the second completes the first, or is on the same level as the first. I had never thought of that. I now realize I can’t love God if I don’t love my neighbor. And, I can’t love my neighbor if I don’t love God. Now what Jesus said makes sense: that if I am approaching God and remember my neighbor has a problem with me, I am to first get right with my neighbor (as far as it depends on me) and then spend time with God. Because if I choose not to love my neighbor I am also choosing not to love God. (And remember, “love” means actively pursuing the highest good for my neighbor, not necessarily doing whatever they ask).
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My relationship with Jesus, my relationship with Mental Illness, and the combination of both
I AM for You! 