The Greatest Commandments

It’s great to be home. After essentially being on the road for the last 6 months, I’ve cherished every moment I’ve been able to be with my family and friends.

One of the daily routines at our house is getting up as a family and spending time reading our Bibles together and then usually discussing a topic my dad presents.

Today it was from Matthew 7:12. Apparently, being gone for a while made me the “guest of honor” (Pop’s words) so I was called on to read the passage.

It’s probably one of the first things parents teach their children. Even if you don’t read the Bible, this is still something you’d love for your kids to do.

“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” We know it as the golden rule.

It’s pretty straightforward. Just treat others the way you want to be treated. Adherence to this high calling proves to be far more challenging.

My dad began to offer some insights on this passage and as time went on, the conversation turned to the current state of turmoil in our nation, with the events surrounding the death of George Floyd.

Then it hit me. The answer to our problems is pretty simple.

There would be no need for the police if people practiced the golden rule.

There would be no need for angry mobs and riots if people practiced the golden rule.

There would be no need for protests if people practiced the golden rule.

It’s a concept of putting others ahead of yourself. This stems from what Jesus calls the two greatest commandments(Matthew 2:36–40).

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

We don’t need police reform as much as we need people reform.

We don’t need Black Lives Matter as much as we need Jesus Loves Better.

We don’t need more justice as much as we need less “just us”.

If we all followed Christ’s commandments and put other’s interests over our own, we wouldn't be having these horrific situations.

It’s impossible to love your neighbor and at the same time, choke the life out of them with a knee on their neck.

It’s inconceivable to put someone else’s interests over your own while throwing rocks through their store windows and beating them within an inch of their life.

The solution is simple. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, we’ll never get there. But that’s why Jesus died for us.

He’s the cheat code that’s gonna obliterate the final boss of hatred, sin, and evil. Until that happens, we need to keep fighting for what’s important.

Love God, and love others. You’ll be doing a lot more to change this world than black squares and bent knees.