I love to share the good news that Jesus saves to non-believers. The gospel message is that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ When we die, we are going to be judged, each one of us, according to the perfect moral standard of His law. Because God is just, righteous, and holy, He must punish sin, and that punishment is eternity in hell. But God the father is also a loving and merciful God in that he sent his son to earth in the birth of Jesus Christ, fully God, and fully man and without sin. He lived a perfect sinless life, and voluntarily went to the cross and died a bloody gruesome death that he did not deserve to take upon Himself the punishment which we rightfully deserve for our sin against God. Three days later, He forever defeated sin and death when He rose from the grave. He’s alive today and will return again at a time of the fathers choosing. Now what God commands from you and I and people everywhere is that we repent, that we turn from our sin and by faith alone we receive Jesus as our Lord and our savior while God has still given us time. That is the good news, gospel message, that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

To the believers, my brothers in Christ, who have placed their trust in Christ I would like to encourage and remind what the most important thing is…

In all three of the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus verifies what the greatest commandment is. In Mark 12:29-31 we read…

Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is:  ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” — Mark 12:29-31 NKJV

When Jesus made these statements, he was referencing something we read in Deuteronomy 6 known as the Shema. This is one of the most basic fundamentals of the Christian faith. Sometimes we need a reminder to get back to the basics. This is my burden. I want to ask you a question… Do you love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Do you love your neighbor as yourself? I challenge you to take a few minutes in self-examination and look at certain areas in your life. Be honest with yourself. I know you can think of specifics.

How do you love the Lord? Do you spend time in His word? Do you love the Lord in your speech? Jesus said out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. What do you spend your time talking about? That will reflect what you truly love. Tell someone about Jesus.

Do you love the Lord with your entire mind?

Paul writes in Colossians 3:2 “set your mind on things above not on things on earth.”

Now when asked the question “do you love your neighbor as yourself”, there should be evidence in your life by the way you treat other people. They should see the love you have for other people by your actions. In what ways can you love your neighbor as yourself today? Would you please bless someone today? I beg you.

I pray that this will weigh heavy on your heart, to love the Lord your God with all that is in you and your neighbor as yourself.

Jesus loves you, and so do I.

In His service,

Robert Kenney

Written by Robert Kenney: Robert Kenney is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. Robert and his wife Michelle are full time staff members at Americas Keswick in guest services. You can reach him at rkenney@americaskeswick.org

The Daily Bible Reading: Judges 1-2| You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Daily Quote: “Learning how to love your neighbor requires a willingness to draw on the strength of Jesus Christ as you die to self and live for Him. Living in this manner allows you to practice biblical love for others in spite of adverse circumstances or your feelings to the contrary.” – John C. Broger

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5