It is essential that we believe the teaching of God is authoritative before we will honor it with obedience! The greatest commandment of all commandments in Old or New Testaments is: Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (DEUT 6:5-7); and in the New; Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (MATT 22:37-40).

One of the last things Jesus said by way of instruction was: "... "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (MATT 28:18-20).

Paul, even though he was not present when Jesus gave the command, understood his mission in life. He wrote the Roman Christians explaining his mission: "Through him and for his name's sake, U>we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (ROM 1:5-7). Does Paul say that obedience comes from faith? Would Paul have been true to his calling if he hadn't called people (through the gospel, 2THS 2:14), to belong to Jesus Christ? Are we, as Christians, to spread the gospel to all mankind? If this is a command of Jesus Christ to all His chosen ones, is it possible for us to be faithful to our calling if we do not love God with all our hearts (keeping His commandments) and our neighbor as ourselves (teaching him the gospel)?

God has shown us His love and concern for all of mankind by sending His only Son as a sacrifice to save lost man. We were created to be like God (EPH 4:22-24). If we fail to love our fellow man and share the great news of Jesus with them, as God did, is it possible for us to have the same love God and Christ has? Consider these passages as you examine yourself concerning your love: 1JN 5:3. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, ROM 10:13. for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15. And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" 1JN 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6. Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. (LUKE 19:10) Are you following in His steps in this area?
What kind of love do you have? Is it real? Do your actions, your manner of life, prove or disapprove your love?