THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT
Mark 12:31 John 15:13 Mark 10:43 1Corinthians 13:13
I figured I had it down,
the greatest commandment.
I could read and I could remember it.
I could ask for grace to believe it.
I could ask for wisdom to obey it.
I thought I could live my life under this law.
In fact, I though that I was living my life based on this law.
I even acted as though I had mastered it sometimes.
BUT I WAS BLIND.
The scariest thing about being a Christian is being blind.
Blind to your own flesh
Blind to your own sin
Blind to your own folly
Blind to your own will
Blind to your own opinion
Blind to your own excuses
Blind to your own self-righteousness
Blind to your own judgments
Blind to your own pride
We are all susceptible to blindness
Pharaoh was blinded by pride (Exodus 11:10)
Aaron was blinded by idolatry (Exodus 32)
David was blinded by lust (2 Samuel 11)
Thomas was blinded by doubt (John 20:24-29)
Peter was blinded by fear (John 26:70-75)
The Jews who believed Him were blinded by religion (John 8:31-41)
The Sadducees were blinded by their unbelief (Mark 12:18)
And…
The Christians, the Disciples, the Church, the Beloved, God’s Bride…
We are subject to spiritual blindness due to the sinful nature of the flesh…
“WHO IS THE GREATEST?”Mark 9:33-35
Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said,
“What were you arguing about on the road?”
But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about
Who was the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last,
And the servant of all.”
One of the greatest benefits of living in community with the Bride of Christ is accountability to submitting and obeying the two greatest commandments…
Loving God
And
Loving People
These two commands of our God and Savior Jesus Christ are impossible to fulfill and maintain apart from community; for God did not make man to dwell alone!
We were made to dwell in relationship with our Creator.
We were made to live in a heavenly community.
However,
One of the greatest fears
I had of living in community
with the Bride of Christ was
living in community
with the Bride of Christ…
Pre-World Race Community Psalm 143:7
I was hurt
I was broken.
I was offended.
I was defensive.
I was individualistic.
I was bullet-proof.
I was an American.
I had open wounds.
I had clenched hands.
I had deep bruises.
I had raging fists.
I had squinty eyes.
I had stone-walls.
I was ready for anyone.
I walked in giving, when it was replaceable.
I walked in sharing, when I had a spare.
I walked in humility, when it didn’t hurt.
I walked in truth, when it was gain for me.
I walked in purity, when someone was watching.
I walked in hope, when I had comforts.
I walked in forgiveness, when I had personal space.
I walked in love, when I loved that someone.
Then I got called to join the World Race mission program.
Then I got accepted to accompany fifty Christians around the world.
Then I got scared to live in community.
I found out the rules, & didn’t like most of them.
I found out the authorities, & didn’t trust most of them.
I found out the routes, & didn’t think it was the safest way to travel.
I found out the ministry, & didn’t think we were doing enough for God.
I found out the cultures, & didn’t think it was yoked with America.
I found out the flesh of others, & didn’t think I struggled in the same sin.
Hilarious… Naive… Childish… Selfish… Human…
God has used the Community of the World Race to bring sin, folly, wounds, hurts, chains, and brokenness to the surface of my heart, in order that the Fire and Love of God may truly refine me.
Have you ever??Romans 2:1
Rejected others so that they don’t reject you first??
Refused love because (false or previous) love hurt you in the past??
Kept a record of wrongs because others keep records of your wrongs??
Judged others (sinners or saints) for the same sin that you commit??
Held onto offenses because you think you have the right to be right??
Doubted that God (could or would or will) change a person/situation??
Allowed bitter roots to grow in your heart towards someone??
Abandoned the faith that God is working in all things??
Lusted after ill-gotten gain because you didn’t trust God to provide??
Coveted your neighbor’s wife, even if she is not yet married??
Belittled a man because you didn’t respect his God-given authority??
Rejected authority because you didn’t trust God’s choice for your life?
Slandered someone you love because of jealousy??
Gossiped about a friend because of insecurity??
Martyred the hardship of your Christian walk, for attention of others??
Slouched the frame of your face during a fast, seeking praise from man??
Denied the Name of Jesus Christ because you don’t know your Identity??
Lived by the fear of man, rather than fear of the One who is the Judge?
Lived by the approval of man, because you haven’t entered sonship?
FREEDOM TO FREEDOM TO FREEDOM TO FREEDOM TO FREEDOM
I knew that God was going to give me one of the most fantastic years of my life in 2012 through the means of living in Christian community. Before launching for the WR in January 2012, God began speaking to me about the NEED for community in my Christian walk.
Healing Blessing Polishing Accountability Sanctification Inheritance Building up Kindness Correction Discipline Help Valuable Discipleship Encouraging Reviving Peace Strength Joy
Truth Humility Love Edification Grace
Living within the community of the Kingdom of God has become one of the greatest values of my Christian faith. I am even willing to bet that I will never walk in God’s highest calling for my life unless I am committed in my heart to living in Godly community with the Bride of Christ.
“Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one is this: 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 greater commandment than these,” answered Jesus. When Jesus saw that the men had agreed with Him and that they had answered wisely, He said to them “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:29-34)
In community with other Christians
I am being trained to forgive immediately in humble love.
I am being trained to reconcile matters before the sun goes down.
I know how my Father sees their soul, blameless.
I know how my Father sees me as His child, His beloved daughter.
I can pray for God’s will for others more easily through discernment.
I can receive prayer for God’s will for my life by those who love me/God.
I envision the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
I envision the Last Day and live as though He is coming tomorrow.
I worship the Lord of Lords in word, in praise, in faith alongside others.
I worship the King of Kings in ministry, in teamwork, in song, in dance.
I am encouraged to remain on the narrow path by the lives of others.
I am encouraged to become a woman of integrity.
I am challenged in faith.
I am challenged in deed.
I am convicted of sin and flesh when others give me daily feedback.
I am convicted of my own sin when I recognize others in sin or flesh.
I learn how to listen with an ear of compassion like my Father listens.
I learn how to respond with a cheek turned like my Savior offers His.
I enjoy demonstrating kindness, favor, and gentle grace on His behalf.
I thrive on receiving acts of kindness, favor, and gentle grace from Him.
I Inherit the Kingdom of God, the family of brothers and sisters of Christ.
I Inherit fresh/new knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of my God.
I see beauty that He makes from ashes.
I see miracles by the Power of the Gospel.
I taste the fruits of the Spirit.
I know that He is Good.
“I praise You, God of heaven and earth (for choosing something for my life that I would never have chosen for myself) so that I may be sharpened like iron, polished like silver, refined like gold, and loved like a daughter of the Most High God. Amen.
I pray that you will obey the Word of God and remain in the Vine,
Live among believers in the heavenly community of God,
and LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD! Amen.
Romans 13 Joshua 1:8-9 2Corinthians 7:2-3
Romans 14 James 5:14-16 1John 3:11-24
Romans 15 Psalm 16:3 Psalm 19
