Do the Big Two

“The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.”

1 John 4:21 - MSG

Do you really love God?

It’s an interesting question. Every now and then the Word places a verse in front of us that makes us pause and look inward. Today’s verse is one of those moments. Jesus told us that all the Law and the Prophets hang on two commandments—what we might call the “Big Two”: love God and love others.

Well, of course I love God. Most of us would answer that without hesitation. But Scripture presses a little deeper. If we truly love God, His love will naturally overflow into the lives of those we encounter. John even goes so far as to say that anyone who claims to love God while refusing to love others has deceived himself (1 John 4:20). There is no version of loving God that excuses us from loving people. Scripture leaves us no alternative. We have to love both.

To soften the weight of that command, biblical love is not about liking everyone or agreeing with everyone. Love is a choice to seek another person’s highest good without a self-seeking motive of our own. That is how God’s Word defines love, and that is what we are called to do. We are called to love others as God has loved us. The wonderful news is that we are not left to do that on our own. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, God has poured His love into our hearts and given us the mind of Christ. As we yield ourselves to Him, He enables us to choose love—even when our feelings resist.

But there are so many things that get in the way.

They were rude to me. They hurt someone I love. They believe differently than I do. They vote differently. They never apologized. They aren’t very kind.

If we’re honest, thoughts like these occasionally interfere with “doing the love thing.” It’s one of those moments when, as Jesus said, “the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Our natural response is often to pull away, hold a grudge, or simply write someone off.

So, the question returns: Do you really love God?

Is there evidence in our lives that answers that question with a confident yes? Can we look in the mirror and honestly say that we reflect the love of God in our everyday encounters?

Let’s balance this for a moment. There may be things about others that we simply do not like. That’s okay. No one is perfect all the time, and there may be differences we simply cannot reconcile. But those things belong in the category of liking, not loving. And here’s the truth: you can love someone without liking everything about them.

Is that really possible? Absolutely.

We can love even those we struggle with because love always seeks the highest good of the other person. Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Prayer has a way of softening our hearts even before it changes theirs. We can bring others before the Lord—even those we find difficult—and ask Him to bless them with His very best. After all, that is His desire for them as well.

The evidence of our love for God is not perfection—it is direction. It is not flawless execution, but a heart that keeps turning back to God and choosing to love again and again. The good news is this: God never commands what He does not empower. By His Spirit, His love continues to shape us, His grace covers our failures, and His strength enables us to become more like Christ.

Today let’s remember that loving God includes loving people. And by His Spirit, you can. Let’s do the “Big Two.”

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving me with a perfect and patient love. Teach me to love others with that same grace. When my feelings resist, strengthen my spirit. When differences frustrate me, remind me of Your kindness. Help me choose what is good, what is honoring, and what reflects Your heart. Fill me with Your love so that it naturally overflows into every encounter. Make my life a witness to Your presence within me. May others see Your love in me and be drawn closer to You because of it.

In Jesus’ name, Amen…

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