The Great Commandment

By Rev. Dr. Emmanuel E James

Reading:  Micah 6:2-8; 1 John 4:13-21; Mark 12:28-34

Jesus calls this the greatest command (Deut. 6:1-5) which includes two aspects:

1. The Command to Love God

God is Love. Since we are created in the “image of God”, we too are required to love as God does. Love is the binding force, satisfying force and God-approved force. We owe Him our love. Nothing but love will Satisfy Him. The Imperative Nature of Love: Jesus said, "Thou shalt love." It is not an option. We don't love God accidentally. This command outshines all other commands. All the law and prophets hang on this command. If we don't love God, then why should we bother with the rest? Matt. 22:40. The measure of this love is all absorbing love. The Israelites were expected to love God (Deut.  6:5). a. "with all your heart" – Emotionally. b. "with all your soul" - c. "with all your strength" – physically. d. "with all your mind" - intellectually, cf. Mt 22:37; Mk 12:30; Lk 10:27, Deut 6:5). That is to love God with our whole being, Note how the Law states our responsibility in Deut. 10:12-13

There is blessing of keeping this Commandment. We enjoy a special relationship with God and Jesus - Jn 14:21-23. We will abide in the love of God - Jn 15:10; 1 Jn 2:5.

Our prayers will be answered - 1 Jn 3:22. By keeping the word of God - cf. 1 Jn 2:5. The love of God is perfected in those who keep God's word. Therefore the more we obey Him, the more our love for God will grow! Do we love God any less than what was expected of the Israelites?  We certainly have compelling reasons to love Him even more.

2. The Command to Love Neighbor. In the same token, we are to love each other as well. Christians owe it to their neighbors to love them - Rom 13:8a. Five of the Ten Commandments spoke to working no ill toward our fellow man. If one truly loves his or her neighbor, they will not be guilty of killing, adultery, stealing, lying, or covetousness.

There is blessing of keeping this Commandment Jesus taught us to love one another - Jn 13:34-35. We must love one another as Christ loved us! He loved us with greatest love - Jn 15:13. We demonstrate true love of one another by keeping commandments of God - 2 Jn 5-6. Not by just claiming to love one another but by setting the proper example, and encouraging each other by the example we set!

When we truly love God, and love our neighbor as ourselves then we should demonstrate our love for God by obeying His commands (Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:16), and live a life of faith in Jesus that is focused on loving God and our fellow human beings.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, I have failed to obey this great commandment. I have not loved you enough and loved my neighbors as myself. Please forgive me and enable to always keep this mandate before me and obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.