Matthew 22:34-40
Introduction:
1. The foundation of Christian ethics is simple, even if some applications are not.
2. Every deed we do must flow from love for God first and then for our neighbor.
Discussion:
I. The Primacy and Imperative of Love
A. Jesus named love for God and neighbor as chief of all commands (Matthew 22:34-39).
B. Furthermore, every other command hangs on these two (Matthew 22:40; Romans 13:8-10).
C. In fact, this is the primary identifier of a true disciple (John 13:34-35).
D. Without it, every good deed one may do is meaningless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
E. It is the aim of sound teaching (1 Timothy 1:5).
F. It is the cohesive bond of every element of the covenant of Christ (Colossians 3:14).
G. No wonder Jesus demands we love one another (John 15:12-14); 1 Peter 1:22-23).
II. The Meaning of Love
A. Sadly, many religious folks use these passages to downplay the necessity of obedience to God.
B. Biblical love is inseparable from obedience to His commandments (John 14:15, 15:9-11; 21-24; 1 John 5:1-3; 2 John 5-6).
C. True love finds evil abhorrent and unites itself to good (Romans 12:9).
D. Hosts of passages demonstrate the active outworkings of love in real life situations.
III. Various Outworkings of Love
A. Broadly, as seen already, every genuine act of obedience to God flows from love.
B. It prompts self-sacrifice to the highest degree (John 15:12-13; 1 John 3:16).
C. It generates service to others (Galatians 5:13-14; 1 John 3:17-18).
D. It seeks the ultimate good of all, including enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).
E. It creates healthy relationships grounded in:
1. Endurance, patience, and kindness (1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 5:1-2; Colossians 3:12).
2. Leading to forbearance, forgiveness, and release of wrongs done (1 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:31-32; Colossians 3:13-14; 1 Peter 4:8).
3. Flowing from humble, self-sacrificing hearts (1 Corinthians 13:4b-5).
4. Devoid of cynicism, thinking the best of the one to whom it is directed (1 Corinthians 13:6-7).
5. Competing against one another in only one way, showing honor to the other zealously and fervently (Romans 12:10-11).
6. Empathizing with others in the good and the bad (Romans 12:15).
7. Pursuing harmony with all (Romans 12:16-18).
8. Bent on rejecting every evil and clinging vigorously to goodness (Romans 12:9).
Conclusion:
1. Books could be (and have been) written in this vein, but hopefully this is sufficient to drive us to seek deeper understanding and greater dedication to biblical love.
2. If we truly love God first and foremost as we are called, and if we truly love our neighbor as should flow from this, we will be and do as He demands.
3. In this way, we will bless and be blessed in ways this world cannot fathom.
Further Food for Thought
1. With this picture of love in view, have you ever struggled with its application?
2. How can we increase our love for God and our neighbors?
3. What kind of world would we live in if we all embraced this love in our lives?
4. What would home look like?
5. What would the workplace look like?
6. What would the congregation look like?