The Greatest Commandment: L.O.V.E
By Eddy John Sng

At the end of my Quiet Time sessions, I usually ask God if He has any word or message for me or for anyone I know. Recently, I did the same and He said to me: Love.

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 neighbour as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:29-31

As I reflected on God's word, a message surfaced in my mind: I wasn't showing much love to my neighbour (the people around me). It was a revelation. Up until then, I had thought that my Christian life was quite healthy.

Well, I was wrong.

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Can I speak in tongues? Yes. Have I received words and visions from God? Yes. Do I have faith in God? Yes.

But do I have love? No.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7

It pains me to confess that I exhibit more of the negatives - what love is not - than the positives - what love is. Despite what God has accomplished through my life, I am still severely lacking in love.

God's word showed me the truth: my Christian life is not healthy. Without love, I am an unhealthy Christian. Without love, I cannot claim to know God intimately.

Dear friends, please forgive me: I have not loved you enough. I pray that God will change me and fill my heart with His love, so that I may love as He does.

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8