Reflecting on this year just finishing and the next year I have been considering what I call “The Big Three Commandments” which are the key to all we do as believers.
It is all about our daily walk with the Lord and Him outworking His purposes in our lives.
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength Luke 10:27
- Love your neighbour as yourself
…then flowing from those two… - Preach the Gospel, making disciples of all nations Matthew 28:18-20
All these predicated on the fact we love because He first loved us !!! 1 John 4:19
In fact I see that ALL of our Christian activity must be based in the big three commands. If our activity does not reflect at least one of these then why are we doing it?
We also need to fully understand that love is holy, i.e. to love requires holiness, and holiness requires love. They are inseparable. We are called to both love and holiness. This is in direct opposition to the spirit of this age.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15
The words of Jesus are self-explanatory. This is an outworking of His grace. As Danny Silk says “Keep your love on” #KYLO
Of course, we are made righteous in Him by His grace. But grace, as we well know, is not licence to do what feels good, as the spirit of this age would try to impose on the Church.
We are called to repent, where we receive His grace through faith. It is His love that calls us to repentance and faith. Repentance, often seen as a negative, is the door to fulfilment in Him. When we have a clean heart He can do anything through us.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Matthew 3:8 and Galatians 5:22-23
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30
As the year ends it is a time to reflect on His goodness in the last year and also look forward to the new year walking with the Lord and living out the Big Three Commandments through his love and grace. As we do He will do great things.
As we enter the next year, be strong in the Lord, walk with Him, and expect Him do do mighty things.
Let’s pray:
Dear Papa God
Thank you that you make all things new. Thank You for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need You and rely on Your presence filling us every single day.
We pray for Your Holy Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that You will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire You above all else.
We ask that You will open doors needing to be opened and close the ones needing to be shut tight. We ask that You would help us release our grip on the things to which You’ve said “no,” “not yet,” or “wait.” We ask for help to pursue You first, above every dream and desire You’ve put within our hearts.
Forgive us for the times we have worked so hard to be self-sufficient, forgetting our need for You, living independent of Your spirit. Forgive us for letting fear and worry control our minds, and for allowing pride and selfishness wreak havoc over our lives. Forgive us for not following Your ways and for living distant from Your presence.
Help us to be known as great givers, help us to be generous and kind, help us to look to the needs of others and not be consumed by only our own.
May we be lovers of truth, may the fruits of Your spirit be evident in our lives – Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Shine your light in us, through us, and over us. May we make a difference in this world, for Your glory and purposes. Set Your way before us. May all Your plans succeed. May we reflect Your peace and hope to a world that so desperately needs Your salvation, presence, and healing.
To You be glory and honour, in this New Year, and forever.
In the mighty and wonderful name of Yeshua HaMashiach, Amen !