Monday, March 21, 2016

Love God. Love Yourself. Love Your Neighbor. PERIOD.

Mark 12 28-31 (NIV)
The Greatest Commandment 

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”


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So why is there arguing?
Why is there pointing fingers?
Why is there people who think another human is incapable of receiving entry into heaven because of something that is not in their power?
Why do people think THEY are the ones who get to sit in judgement?
Why do people hurt others emotionally or physically in the name of the Lord?

The words are clear. 
Love God.
Love yourself.
Love your neighbor.
 
Those are the words in red.


I am Methodist.
I believe 304.3 in the Book of Discipline needs to be removed.
I believe 341.6 should be reversed.
I believe that no human is perfect and that includes those who wrote the Book of Discipline.
I believe that humans can correct the mistakes they have made and allow a Methodist Church that truly lives up to their slogan - "Open Heart. Open Minds. Open Doors."

I pray that someday this will be the case.  

It's NOT complicated.
It's simple.
It's also not easy.... but it's His word.

...and when it's His word against a human's word... I will always choose God.