For September 13, 2020
When the Pharisaic Lawyer challenged Jesus to identify the greatest Commandment, the Lord quotes from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the 
Prophets hang on these two commandments (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV).
Later, Jesus tells how our “Greatest Commandment” has been changed—love as I love you,
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My Disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35 NKJV).
As Christians, we are united under a new love mandate to extend our unity and love to become family—a Christian family—with perfect, eternal unity that will forever reveal the matchless wisdom and power of God,
We have been adopted into an eternal family of God. As children of God and joint heirs with Christ, we have the privilege of sharing both in His sufferings and in His subsequent glory. God gives us the privilege of walking the same path Christ walked, enduring sufferings in this life that we may also receive great glory in the life to come. Because we are God’s children, our relationship with each other is far deeper and more intimate than the relationship that angels, for example, have to one another. For we are all members of one family.1
The Holy Spirit enables us to share in common many fulfilling moments that strengthen our resolve to follow Christ. Daily we experience how God loves us, protects us, and provides us with everything we need. We grow ever confident that He directs our steps, and that He will never leave or forsake us,
Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9 NKJV).
The Holy Spirit also solidifies our faith in God and in His Word so that we grow to rely on His eternal promises and providence instead of our subjective thoughts and fickle emotions. He will provide us with all the spiritual resources we need to live for Christ victoriously.
The Bible presents people who have fruitful and fulfilling relationships with the Lord that begin early and last throughout their lives. This is truly the Christian heritage and legacy to strive for, a special and unique witness that shows everyone we are one—even as Jesus is one with the Father.
Those of us who follow this pattern by coming to Christ early, learning God’s Word, attending church, learning from spiritually mature teachers and pastors in discipleship, and using our gifts in service are living testimonies of His miraculously transforming power.
The Holy Spirit enables us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to share God’s Word properly, so that He can attract, convict, convince, and inspire others unto right thinking and living (2 Peter 3:18). Then, we can present His righteousness, grace, and love through our worship, service, and fellowship.
The Holy Spirit also works in us to share the life and message of Jesus Christ effectively. Here, we sanctify the Lord God in our hearts. Then we can offer a timely response to those who ask us about the unfailing hope within us, with meekness and godly reverence (1 Peter 3:15).
Ultimately, it is because of this one incredible evening, that with the aid of the Holy Spirit, we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us both now and forever (Philippians 4:13). Let’s be a loving family today!
What a Wonderful Savior!