Jun 14

The Great Directives

Introduction and Background

In the life of faith, we have the two Great Commandments and the Great Commission.

Great Commandments

In the Old Testament:

  1. Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
  2. Leviticus 19:18b you shall love your neighbor as yourself

In the New Testament:

  1. Mark 12:30-31 [Jesus said] “‘And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
  2. Mark 12:30-31 [Jesus continued] “The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The Great Commission

  • Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The Great Directives

In addition to the great commands and the great commission, I lift up, what I am calling, the two great directives.

1. Be Holy

  • OT: Leviticus 11:44b Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.
  • NT: 1 Peter 1:15-16 as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

2. Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

  • Matthew 6:33 [Jesus said] “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Rational

I lift up these directives because they are not just emphasized in the Bible, but foundational in biblical teaching and should be foundational for our lives. The Kingdom of God was a primary topic in Jesus’ teaching and preaching.

They emphasize both being and doing — our identity and our living.

I’ve chose the term “directive” (over commandment, instruction, edict, decree, etc.) based on its definition.

Mirriam-Webster gives these definitions:

  • serving or intended to guide, govern, or influence
  • serving to point direction
  • something that serves to direct, guide, and usually impel toward an action or goal.

God is guiding, influencing, and directing our lives. We have choices, like a fork in the road. God is pointing the way. It is up to us to be and do what God wills.

Also, these are not just instructions for healthy living, but bigger than that. These are directives to align ourselves with His holiness, His Kingdom, and His righteousness.