Studying the Lord's Prayer, we saw that life in Christ is a life of prayer. Now let's look at life in Christ as a life of love, focusing on the Ten Commandments.

The word love doesn't appear in the Ten Commandments. Is that because none of them are about love? No, it's because all of them are about love. Jesus said: "'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).

We don't understand God's commands apart from love--nor do we understand love apart from God's commands. Though love is a deep, inner affection, it takes a definite, outward form. Love is not a formless fog; it has shape and boundaries. The Ten Commandments define the shape and boundaries of love. If we love the God who saved us, we will not serve other gods, make images of God, misuse his name, or cram the Lord's day with our own work or hobbies. If we love people, we will honor parents and value family; we won't kill, commit adultery, steal, lie, or wish that someone else's blessings could be ours instead. Love comes from heaven, but it's down-to-earth. Love comes from the eternal God, but it shows up in day-by-day obedience to his commands.

PRAYER--Lord, we love because you first loved us. Stir us to love you above all and to love other people; and shape our love by the commands of your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen