01-23-2026 PART 1: The Only Way Forward Is Loving God First

Section 1

This teaching begins with a clear and uncompromising truth: the Christian faith cannot exist without Jesus Christ. Attempts to redefine Christianity as a feeling, a family tradition, a moral ideal, or a cultural spirit strip it of its very foundation. Christ is not an accessory to faith; He is its substance. To be a Christian is, by definition, to follow Christ Himself. Scripture affirms that nothing of eternal value can be accomplished for the Kingdom apart from Him, even though all things are possible through Him. Ministry, growth, service, and endurance are not powered by human effort or gifting, but by reliance on Jesus. This perspective re-centers faith away from performance and back toward dependence, reminding believers that everything begins and ends with Christ.

Section 2

The core of the message unfolds through Jesus’ summary of the law: loving God with all one’s heart, soul, strength, and mind is the first and greatest commandment. That priority is intentional and non-negotiable. Love for God must come before love for self, relationships, causes, or even ministry. Jesus then deepens this teaching by adding a new commandment—to love one another as He has loved us—specifically directed toward the family of God. This love is sacrificial, patient, and undeserved, far surpassing natural affection. Finally, believers are called to love their neighbor, defined not abstractly, but as anyone God places in their path. These three directions of love—toward God, toward fellow believers, and toward neighbors—form the complete structure of Christian living and cannot be rearranged without distortion.

Section 3

The teaching closes with a pastoral encouragement rooted in honesty and hope. Spiritual hunger cannot be manufactured, but it can be requested. When passion for God feels weak or absent, the answer is not guilt or pretense, but prayer—asking God to ignite desire and draw hearts closer to Him. Life’s purpose is not reduced to survival, provision, or routine, but to grow in relationship with God and prepare for eternity with Him. God is not distant or indifferent; He is a loving Father who cares about details both great and small, even those His children overlook. His discipline flows from love, not anger, and His attention never wavers. The invitation is simple and profound: stop substituting religion for relationship, return to loving God first, and trust that everything else finds its rightful place when He does.