Luke 10: 27-28

Who have you loved today? Even as great believers, we can fall into the habit of climbing the ladder in life - gaining the positions that we feel are improvements and that we think hold more esteem. People have the ideas of going somewhere big in life and they try to equate it with big names or trying to achieve something we see as “big”. None of us actually graduate through hierarchical structures that we try to attach ourselves to. God actually promotes us based on our hearts and how we treat others - based on who we have loved today.

In this scripture, Jesus answers a Pharisee (in response to the question “How do I get to Heaven?) and says “Love the Lord you God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Do this and live.” Notice that he says all four times. Even when we aren’t feeling like reaching out to or loving others, he says pull on your strength. Make the decision in your mind that you are going to love that person. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will live.
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Matthew 7 - A lot of people think that God is angry, judgmental and tired of humanity. But Jesus did not come to the Earth with a big stick. He brought grace, love, and compassion.

Obedience on the outside is RELIGION. Real obedience is about the heart. We cannot judge people by what we see on the outside - that is the mistake of religion. God wants us to choose to follow him. This is the point of a free will. This ensures that we are obedient on the inside…where it counts.
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