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WAVENEY ANN MOOREWhat was Jesus' most important teaching? Answered by the Rev. John Gill of King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church, 3150 Fifth Ave. N, St. Petersburg.
"A recent movie entitled Joshua is based on Joseph Girzone's novel by the same name. It tells the modern-day parable of a young man named Joshua, a Christ figure, who visits a small town and dramatically changes the lives of its citizens - for the better. In one scene, Joshua is granted an audience with the pope. During their conversation, the pope asks what he should do as regards ministry to his flock. Joshua (Jesus) replies, "Remind them that I love them, that I died for them. Tell them that my love is real, and that if they open their hearts to it I will fill their emptiness, and they will be able to love one another. That's the message. It hasn't changed. Tell them, Peter! Tell them!'
"Matthew 22:37 tells of Jesus' being asked which is the greatest commandment. Jesus replied, love - love for God, love for neighbor and love of self. This was not a suggestion, an option or an alternative that Jesus espoused. He went so far as "mandating' it when he said, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.' Christ's greatest teaching is our greatest challenge!"
SKETCH: The Rev. Elder John Gill has been pastor of King of Peace Metropolitan Community Church in St. Petersburg for eight years. He was ordained in 1971 and served in Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale and Houston before coming to King of Peace. He describes the church as a Christian fellowship with an outreach to all of God's people - especially the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning community.
TEST OF FAITH: "My test, when it comes to loving, is focused in the arena of "consistency.' This is especially true when God's timing and mine differ (it sure would help to own a copy of the kind of watch God wears). My loving others is hampered when they exhibit a character trait that makes me uncomfortable. Falling short in the above-mentioned areas makes loving myself become more difficult."