For the whole Torah [the Law] can be summed up in a single saying: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14, TLV

Love God. Love Each Other.       Many folks think that Jesus did away with the Law — the Torah — but He didn’t, He fulfilled it (Matthew 5:17). In fact, He quoted His Father’s instructions about the Torah, from the Torah: “You are not to take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am ADONAI [the LORD].” (Leviticus 19:18, TLV, Emphasis Mine.)

When a Torah scholar approached Yeshua to ask Him questions — which, by the way, wasn’t a bad thing — there’s an account that I love.

One of the Torah scholars came and heard them debating. Seeing that Yeshua had answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is first of all?”

Yeshua [Jesus] answered, “The first is, ‘Shema Yisrael, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI echad. [Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.] And you shall love ADONAI your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31, TLV)

So, what does that all mean? It means from the beginning our Heavenly Father wanted us to love Him and love each other. When we truly comprehend this, when it becomes our motivation for our actions, something changes. We become who our Dad intended us to be.

Does this mean He expects us to be perfect? Never sinning? I’m sure He’d love that, but because He knows we’re dust (Psalm 103:14), He doesn’t expect perfection from us. He already has a Son who is. He does want us to keep trying and learning — and when we fail, keep repenting and accepting His love and forgiveness.

It all sounds so simple, doesn’t it. Sigh. Yet, we need constant reminding: Love God. Love each other.

Think More About It

Do you feel—sometimes—that you think God expects us to be perfect? How does that show up in your faith journey? What do you do to overcome it?

May we love God and love each other, my friends.

Praying for Israel—Prayer Prompt

For You, ADONAI [LORD], are Elyon [God Most High] above all the earth.
You are exalted far above all gods.

You who love ADONAI, hate evil!
He watches over the souls of His godly ones.
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:9-10, TLV

When we love God, we love what He loves. Evil. Injustice. He promises to watch over us. What does that look like? We might say that on the surface, it doesn’t appear God is watching over Israel or delivering them out of the hand of the wicked. There are still hostages. Now fires—most likely arson. Yet, I know people who have seen God’s deliverance in the midst of all this evil. So, how do we pray? We confirm and remind God of His promises. Amen? Pray this with me? God bless you.