Living More Abundantly, Part II

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (1)

God and Jesus have given us the formula for a successful life here and now and hereafter. Life is about relationships and God teaches us how to love, respect and get along with one another. Love is the foundation of God's government and His values. "For God is love." (2)

"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 'You shall not covet,' and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (3)

The principle of love governs all of the 10 Commandments. Loving God supremely governs the first four Commandments. "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." (4) And "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (5) governs the last six. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (6)

We learn to love the God because He first loved us. "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins… We love Him because He first loved us." (7)

As we consider God's Commandments and instruction throughout the Bible, they are all based on love and respect for God and one another. No person or object is to take the place of God, our Creator, in our lives.
#1. "You shall have no other gods before Me." Exodus 20:2, 3.
#2. "You shall not make… any likeness of anything… you shall not bow down to them nor serve them." Vs. 4-6.
#3. "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. Vs. 7.
#4. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy… The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. Vs. 8-ll.
#5. "Honor your father and your mother… Vs. 12.
#6. "You shall not murder. Vs. 13.
#7. "You shall not commit adultery. Vs. 14.
#8. "You shall not steal. Vs. 15.
#9. "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Vs. 16.
#10. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house… his wife… nor anything that is your neighbor's. Vs. 17

When we realize all that God has done for us, we can not help but return the love which He has shared with us. After all, all that He asks of us is for our benefit, blessing and protection. When we treat others as Jesus and God have treated us, we will be making friends for God, and for eternity!

To be continued-

1. John 10:10.
2. 1 John 4:8.
3. Romans 13:8-10.
4. Matthew 22:37, 38.
5. Matthew 22:39.
6. Matthew 22:40.
7. 1 John 4:10, 19.