Love: the 1st commandment (and 2nd; probably 3rd, 4th, 5th and so on...)

  I was giving a talk a few years ago about the Good Samaritan, and how he took care of all the needs of a dying man on the side of the road just because.  Just because he loved.  There is nothing more important than doing the right thing not because it's the right thing to do but because it is the love we have inside of us leaking out to others.  When our hearts are full of God's grace, love & mercy, how could we not pour out those same things unto others?
   The 2nd half of the discussion had to do with "Loving your neighbor AS YOURSELF."  It is a reminder that we - in a mode of self-preservation and/or love - want ourselves to be as happy and whole and complete as possible.  We want the best for ourselves in all things: clothes, home, comfort, peace, etc.  God wants these things for us as well.  He would not deny us good things, even if sometimes we do not have them (and therefore there can be no blame or judgment for not having or receiving any of these things; sometimes life is life and things (good or bad) happen and it is how we respond that is of importance).  He loves us.  We wants us to love ourselves for who we are.  And then He wants us to pour out to others as an offering - a redeeming free gift - of love so that they would know God's love also.
   If we know He loves us, and we are full of this truth and love, then we could never empty ourselves or detach ourselves from true & the greatest love.

The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:28-34)   "One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
   The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a]  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]  There is no commandment greater than these.”
   “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
   When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
[a] Deuteronomy 6:4-5, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."
[b] Leviticus 19:18, “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."

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