All the people

 

All the people Psalm 15

Love of God and love of neighbor go hand in hand. The two ideas are different, but in a very real sense the same. John called anyone a liar who says they love God while hating a brother (1 John 4:20). If you want to know how deep your love of God is, look beyond church attendance. You don't have to track your minutes prayed or how many times you've opened the Bible. Look to those around you. How have you loved them? Many of us wrongly assume this great focus on loving neighbor began with Jesus. The "God of the Old Testament" seems too violent to suggest such a thing. This commandment, though, didn't originate with Jesus. Remember, he called love of God and neighbor the greatest of God's commandments. So, the ethical treatment of other people has long been strongly tied to our faith and trust in God. Take Psalm 15 as one more example. The psalmists opens with an important question, asking God, "Who may abide in your tent" (Psalm 15:1)? Who is fortunate enough to enter? Holy and faithful enough to have the chance to be with God? In only a few verses, the psalmists lets us know. The answer, presumably, comes from the Lord. And notice what the answer is. It's the person who does what is right and speaks the truth. There is no slander within them and they would never do evil to their friends. Their neighbors would never worry about shame coming from them. They give honest testimony about others--even if it doesn't help their own cause. Finally, they would never take advantage of anyone else. These people, God says, "shall never be moved." They have God as their foundation. I assume their neighborly conduct persuades other people to help them as well. To dwell with God isn't about having the right words. It isn't knowing proper spiritual etiquette. It's always been our willingness to rightly live in love of God and the people God loves. Stay blessed...john