Love God = Love One Another

This morning I have been thinking about how significant each of us is to the Lord.  I was reading a biography of Brother Lawrence and in it the author said that Brother Lawrence saw loving those around Him as an extension of loving God.  Each of us is precious to God, and when we love others, we are effectively loving God.  I was reminded of a couple of different verses that explain this theme.

Mark 12:29-31 NIV:
[29] “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. [30] Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' [31] The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”

- and -

Matthew 25:34-40 NIV:

[34] “Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, [36] I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

[37] “Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? [38] When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? [39] When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

[40] “The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'"

I find it so interesting that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others, and that Jesus says they are effectively the exact same thing!  In our Western mindset of selfish focus, everything having to be "my way" or all about me, we lose sight of this fundamental truth.  We are called to love God and to Love others - and in doing so to not worry about ourselves.  As Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?... For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:25, 32-33) NIV.

Lord, I pray that You would help me to live un-selfishly, seeing the opportunity to love You and love others, and embracing this greatest call.  I know that You love me and love all those around me equally as much as You love me.  Help me to reflect that in my life, and by my actions.