The Greatest of These

Often in church leadership meetings where the people are discussing their purpose, vision, missions, and/or values, many will state that the reason they exist is to follow The Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20)“  It is important to tell others about God and Christ, but many people forget the first lesson.

Earlier in the same Gospel, Jesus is asked what the Greatest Commandment is. 

Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  (Matthew 22:37-39)

First, we are to love God with everything we’ve got, every part of ourselves.  Then as we love God and know that He loves us, we can share that love with our neighbors - any human being with whom we come into contact.  If we don’t love people first, they won’t care to hear that God loves them.  A common saying is “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  To paraphrase that, “People won’t listen about God’s love for them if they think you don’t care about them, too.”

This is one thing that excites me about C3.  There are so many people sharing their lives with others, and inviting them to visit.  It’s about relationships – not religion.  After all, Love Wins.