Stubbornness is simply self absorption and not caring about others.
Jesus said God’s commandments are based on love to God, and love to our neighbour.
When asked “Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Then Jesus elaborated on these two great laws by saying) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:35-40) Again in Mark 12:28-34, when talking about these two commandments, Jesus concluded with a similar statement: There is no other commandment greater than these.
All the commandments and laws that God provides in his written word, show us how to love God and others, with depth and understanding. And, if you will please read Mark 12:28-34, you will see that some of the leaders of the Jews also understood this, for Jesus said to the scribe: You are not far from the kingdom of God.
This is why Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”- the truth of God is to give us his good and loving way of life to live, that will promote peace and love throughout the world. We need to understand that while the Ten Commandments are important, they are not the foundation of the Bible, for love is the foundation of the Ten Commandments. Indeed, love toward God and neighbour is the foundation of all the laws, of which there are over 600 in scripture.
Yet, as shown in the parable of the Good Samaritan, to show love to your neighbour through mercy and compassion doesn’t take an in-depth understanding of the 600+ laws, nor esoteric knowledge of the mysteries of God. Even a Samaritan can understand the need for mercy, love and compassion! (Luke 10:25-37) And because he did show mercy, the Samaritan was on the path to eternal life, whereas the Priest and Levite (even with their great and detailed knowledge of the revealed word of God) were not!
You make some great points! Ultimately, stubbornness is caring more about what we want rather than what is best for others - or what God has said. I appreciate the connection between stubbornness and not loving others as God has loved us.
Stubbornness is simply self absorption and not caring about others.
Jesus said God’s commandments are based on love to God, and love to our neighbour.
When asked “Master, which is the great commandment in the Law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Then Jesus elaborated on these two great laws by saying) On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt 22:35-40) Again in Mark 12:28-34, when talking about these two commandments, Jesus concluded with a similar statement: There is no other commandment greater than these.
All the commandments and laws that God provides in his written word, show us how to love God and others, with depth and understanding. And, if you will please read Mark 12:28-34, you will see that some of the leaders of the Jews also understood this, for Jesus said to the scribe: You are not far from the kingdom of God.
This is why Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”- the truth of God is to give us his good and loving way of life to live, that will promote peace and love throughout the world. We need to understand that while the Ten Commandments are important, they are not the foundation of the Bible, for love is the foundation of the Ten Commandments. Indeed, love toward God and neighbour is the foundation of all the laws, of which there are over 600 in scripture.
Yet, as shown in the parable of the Good Samaritan, to show love to your neighbour through mercy and compassion doesn’t take an in-depth understanding of the 600+ laws, nor esoteric knowledge of the mysteries of God. Even a Samaritan can understand the need for mercy, love and compassion! (Luke 10:25-37) And because he did show mercy, the Samaritan was on the path to eternal life, whereas the Priest and Levite (even with their great and detailed knowledge of the revealed word of God) were not!
You make some great points! Ultimately, stubbornness is caring more about what we want rather than what is best for others - or what God has said. I appreciate the connection between stubbornness and not loving others as God has loved us.
On-time message.