“The Principles you live by create the world you live in” – Blaine Lee
The basis of your action
There is something you believe in whether you appreciate it or not. This belief is the principle that determines your perception of life and how you approach issues. It stems from the values that you have internalized. Benjamin Franklin, the father of modern America, called it “the life governing values”. The person that shall accomplish the essence of his existence would have to live by these values which should be in tandem with the purpose of his life. These are the values his creator has defined as the standard by which he would be judged while giving an account of his stewardship at the end of his life. These are the ideal value system Christ taught and demonstrated while he lived on earth. All his actions were based on these ideals and he taught them using different parables to drive them home and also instil them in His disciples.
One day a Pharisee who was also a lawyer threw a question at Him that “Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law? “ Jesus answered him “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind…………. And the second is like it you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets” – Mattew 22: 37,39 and 40. Consequently, the foundation of the ideal value system as exemplified by Jesus Christ is love.
Love the Lord with your Heart
Heart as being referred to by Christ means the sit of deep feelings and beliefs of a person that influences his character. It is the innermost thought and feelings also regarded as the conscience. To love God with all your heart, therefore, means that in your innermost thought and feelings you are connected with God such that you always feel His presence. You are attached to Him and want to please Him in every way possible. His care is your concern. You are in an intimate relationship with Him. You stand for what He stands for and you want to obey and submit to His will. Although He knows you more than you know yourself, however, you consciously open your deepest strong desires and weaknesses to Him. You are in a constant dialogue with Him in your thought.
Love the Lord with Your Soul
Love with your mind
The soul consists of the mind, will and emotion. The mind relates to knowledge or intellect. The will relates to choice while the emotion has to do with passion. Loving the Lord with your mind means knowing that He loves you, cares for you and has your best interest at heart. Knowing that you should reciprocate the gesture and let that be in your consciousness. Seeking knowledge on how best you can prove your love to Him.
Love with your Will
To love Him with your Will means making choices that show that you truly love Him. Choices that though maybe discomforting, not pleasurable or hard but will reflect, project and elevate His love. The choices that would glorify Him and benefit mankind.
Love with your emotion
To love Him with your emotion means you passionately do His Will. Without passion, the pain of love cannot be endured and the blessings of it cannot be enjoyed. Because passion would make you do difficult things to please God.
Loving God with your strength
Loving God with all your strength, what does it mean? Let’s first examine what strength is. Strenght is anything that empowers you to achieve a task or goal. Your strengths are your knowledge (knowledge is power), position, influence, resources, talents, skills, connection and network of friends and physical strength. These are the source of energy you need to get things done. By using them to express your love for God
Love your neighbour as yourself
Do unto others as you want to be done by. If you want people to love you then you also have to show them, love. You cannot love God without loving people. Remember people are God’s image therefore whatever you do to them you are indirectly doing it to God who created them in His image. If you love your neighbour, you wouldn’t harm him. Whatever you consider being good for you is also good for him. While you are protecting your interest you would also consider his interest such that you wouldn’t undermine him to please yourself. To love is to be humbled, tolerant, kind, compassionate, friendly, patient, appreciative, forgiving e.t.c
Love is practical
Love does not find fault but corrects to make better
It does not bring down but raise up
It doesn’t keep malice but forgives
It doesn’t discriminate but treats everyone as brothers and sisters
It is not selfish but considerate
It doesn’t look down on people but comes down to their level
It doesn’t withhold but gives.
Love is practical. It is shown in your commitment to others. It is demonstrated by performing your responsibilities to others. Irrespective of what people have done or are still doing they deserve your love. Jesus said “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”- Mattew 5:44. Consequently, every actions, thoughts, considerations and decision made by you should be motivated by love. You have to think of how your action elevates or projects God’s love and how it would be beneficial to mankind. Love should be the fundamental driving force of your life.
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