“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord 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: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:29-31 (NIV)
No Greater Commandment
The Constitution is the supreme law of Canada; all other laws must be consistent with the rules set out in it. If they are not, they may not be valid. Since the Charter is part of the Constitution, it is the most important law we have in Canada. However, the rights and freedoms in the Charter are not absolute. They can be limited to protect other rights or important national values. For example, freedom of expression may be limited by laws against hate propaganda or child pornography.
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If you have ever driven over the speed limit, you understand that laws are not designed to give us the power to live by them. In order to be law abiding citizens we must decide every day to live by the law. Being sinful by nature, we too easily break the laws of the land, let alone the laws set down by God. The difference between human and divine law is that God promises to supply all we need to walk in obedience to Him. We read this in Mark 12:29-31: “‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord 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: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’” The greatest commandment is to love God with everything in us – heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others. God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to walk in obedience. Invite Him today to empower you to do so.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley