Living out our faith
The Christian life is shaped around loving God and loving our neighbour
Jesus was once asked to name the greatest commandment. His reply - known as the 'Summary of the Law' - was this:
The first commandment is this:
‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is the only Lord.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, with all your mind,
and with all your strength.’
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Loving God and loving neighbour belong together, and the best, most fruitful life is lived in loving communion with God our Creator, as well as with our fellow human beings.
Our lives need to be shaped in a rhythm of worship and service: love for God and love for others.
‘Lord, you have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.'
St Augustine
Christians commit themselves to the worship of God and the service of others when they confirm their baptism.
Read an extract from the Confirmation service
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.
Will you acknowledge Christ's authority over human society,
by prayer for the world and its leaders,
by defending the weak, and by seeking peace and justice?
With the help of God, I will.
May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith,
that you may be rooted and grounded in love
and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit.
Amen.
Micah 6.8
What does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
