The previous article, lets us know that we are loved, you are loved! Before you were born you were loved by God our loving Father, he has always cared for you even if you don’t believe in him.

God’s love is for all of us, he made us in his image, to him we are of great value. His great love is what moved God to send his son from heaven to give an opportunity to his perfect creation, us, so that we could live without the blame that fell on us after Adam and Eve sinned against him. Their disobedience tainted everyone of us without exception and to be free of blame we must accept what God offers us with so much love, his son Jesus Christ. He sent him so that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬. Its not a coincidence that there are many bible verses that speak to us about love. The Bible tells us to love others as we love ourselves but first it tells us to love God above all things. It speaks to us in an almost mandatory way, we have no other choice, it’s not a matter of wanting to or not. It for our own good because in doing so we will be happy and we’ll be at peace with God and man. ‬‬‬‬‬‬

In the book of Mathew chapter 22:37-40, Jesus confirmed what God had said, “Jesus replied: ‘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

This means that to fulfill God’s word we must focus in these two verses. We must love him in the way he asks us. No matter the actions, decisions or plans we want to make in our lives, we must first bring it to God and meditate if it’s pleasing to him, in this way we will honor God and our parents.

Since we cannot see Him face to face, he has inspired men, through the Holy Spirit, to write everything he has wanted to communicate with us. The only way to fully know what pleases God is to read the scriptures. The Bible is the word of God, in it we find the history and the experiences that people had with Him. It tells us the end on those who didn’t follow it’s advice and the victories achieved by those who believed and did follow it’s advice and were able to reach joy that isn’t fleeting.
By reading the Bible we learn to love God and our lives are also confronted by the words written on it. We are able to recognize we must make changes because we realize that our way of living it’s no at all pleasing to Him. Afterwards we experience an awakening of our conscience that allows us to see we are valued, loved and created just as we are without a flaw, His word tells us: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm‬ ‭139:13, 16‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

To fulfill his second greatest commandment, we should measure our actions make sure they don’t offend or hurt our “neighbors”.
As Children of God we must love Him, love ourselves and love everyone else and if it’s up to us we must be at peace with everyone and procure the welfare and happiness of those around us. Romans 12:18 remind us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans‬ ‭12:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬
If we love our neighbor we must be honest and avoid practices that breed bad habit such as:

Taking advantage of situations that have left our neighbors vulnerable.
Favoring only those who are close to us and ignoring the potential of those who aren’t.
Making comments about our neighbors to others when we are in disagreement, it’s best to bring our issues in person.

The word of God gives many advices when it comes to love, Corinthians chapter 13 talks extensibly of it: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬.

There is a common phrase that says: “From love to anger there is only one step” but the Bible tells us: “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

The Holy Scriptures tells us to try and please God in everything we do so that everything things go well for us here on earth and to reach eternal life filled with the joy of the a lord beside Him. Many live life like there isn’t life after death. Thinking about this is just an excuse to live a disorderly life ignoring one of the many warnings God gives us: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans‬ ‭12:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬

It’s important to recognize that whoever does not love God, doesn’t love himself and if that person doesn’t love himself, it won’t be able to love others. The guidelines have been given, it’s up to you!