The two greatest

Good morning brothers and sisters. I want to start by thanking Jesus for those who are seeking. I am by no means a scholar of the Bible. I do however take the time to read, study and pray for wisdom and understanding. I never want to say or do anything that contradicts the Bible. Over the last several days I have heard believers and non-believers alike say the same phrase. The phrase is we are suppose to love our neighbors as ourselves. That is true, Jesus did say it. Let's take a look at this. Matthew 23:36-40. 36- "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 37- Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38- This is the first and great commandment. 39- And the second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40- On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Ok they always quote the second part but what about the first part. The first and greatest is to love the Lord your God with everything in us. Why does no one quote that part? They only want to quote the second. We can't do the second without doing the first. It just is not going to happen. Because we can't love like Jesus if we are not imitators of Jesus. The next reason they always use the second and not the first is because they want us to accept no matter what. And we just can't. We can love people. We can have compassion on people. We can extend mercy and grace. We can forgive. But we can not tolerate sin. We first must deal with the sin in our life and then be fitting to help others. I don't see anywhere in that scripture that says accept the sin. But they use it against us. So the next time someone tells you that you are to love your neighbor as yourself, say yes I am. But I am to love the Lord my God first. Do you? Have a blessed day. Rise up child of God, rise up!