Love Your Neighbor As Yourself (A Message of Forgiveness)

Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” [Mark 12.29-31]

It does not surprise me that Jesus pointed out these two commandments as the two upon which all else depends.

In my recent attention upon the word "forgiveness" I am finding more and more of the Bible supporting my increased attention upon it! It seems "forgiveness" is the underlying message everywhere I look at the Kingdom of God and today is no different.

Question: Why would we need to love the LORD our God with all our heart?

Answer: Because only He gives the forgiveness we need.

Question: Why would we need to love our neighbor as ourselves?

Answer: Because forgiving them (showing them the love of God) is the only way we might receive the forgiveness we need.

Check this out:

But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [Matthew 6.15]

 It all fits. The Kingdom of God is all about forgiveness.

Father, I am not surprised at all that forgiveness continues to surface in what You are saying to me! Help me to get it! (and give it)