goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Love Thy Neighbor

By Linda Tancs

Love is the greatest commandment, love of God being first and foremost, followed by love of neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). Indeed, to love others is to love God because God is love (1 John 4:16). In its grandest sense, love of neighbor means to love everyone. Admittedly, though, it’s challenging to conjure affection for everyone, everywhere. A good first step is to recognize the connection with all of them as brothers and sisters in Christ. You can foster a connection locally through participation in community outreach and internationally through world missions. Whatever you do, it puts “love thy neighbor” within reach.

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES (a teaching and speaking ministry), Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

Covering and Atoning

By Linda Tancs

When we read the Bible’s exhortation that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8), we often think of it in terms of forgiving others for their transgressions. But the “cover” has another implication that frequently is overlooked. When we love, we atone for our own sins, our own shortcomings. Jesus reminded us, after all, that love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40). Whoever does not love does not know God (1 John 4:8).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

What is Love?

By Linda Tancs

St. Augustine wrote: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” What does love look like for you? Are you helpful to others, even those you may not particularly like? Do you volunteer your skills or donate money to worthy causes? Are you a good listener? Find ways to be loving, and keep at it. Loving others is, after all, the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:36-40).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.

 

 

goforwardinfaith Christianity, Religion, Theology

It’s Elementary

By Linda Tancs

“Elementary, my dear Watson” is a phrase often attributed to Sherlock Holmes, the English detective created by the novelist Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes supposedly says this to his companion Dr. Watson when explaining his reasoning in solving a crime.

God’s law is likewise elementary, as distilled by Jesus during His ministry (Matthew 22:36-40). He intended it to be simple. We complicate it through our own actions. What He had to say about how we should live our lives could be summed up in a few phrases: love others and give of yourself to them, especially the less fortunate (Galatians 6:2); be non-violent (Proverbs 3:31); be honest (Proverbs 12:22); be forgiving (Mark 11:25); and be humble (Luke 14:11).

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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Learn more at goforwardinfaith.com. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.