Love Comes First

September 1, 2008

By Dorothy Rugg

A lot of people wonder where their priorities should be in their walk of faith. Scripture tells us in Matthew 22:37-39, “Jesus said to him, ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” ’ ” (NKJV).

That’s a pretty clear indication of what should come first in our lives. Consider these other passages.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another” (John 13:35).

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:1,2).

Do you love God with everything within you? Are you offering your life as a sacrifice? Are you demonstrating the love of Christ in how you live?

God’s precious Word has so much to say about love and what it is to truly love. Why not spend some time this week looking in His Word and rekindling your love for your Savior and for those around you?

— James and Dorothy Rugg pastor Mill City AG in Dalton, Pa.