The Two Greatest Commandments

Let me begin by stating that all of the Word of God is needed and great.  Acknowledging such, Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  With that being stated, the Lord emphasized two specific commandments above all others.  The reason for the emphasis is that all other commandments derive from the specific two.  Let us dig deeper.

            Jesus was once asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law” (Matt. 23:36)?  Keep in mind, this question was not asked with the intention of learning and growing.  Instead, one of the first century doctors of the law asked the question as an attempt to “tempt” the Lord.  Regardless of the man’s reason, Jesus took an opportunity to teach.  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37-40).  There we have, “the two greatest commandments” given by God.

            We will initially discuss “the first and great commandment.”  Without a love for God, an individual will likely discard other commandments that God has given.  Take for instance the command to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).  Why would a person devote so much time and effort to grow in grace and knowledge about someone that they do not love?  Most of us like to use our time to do those things that are enjoyable and pleasant.  Studying the Word of God on a regular basis will largely come from an aspect of enjoyment.  I will long to learn more of God and His Will.  As such, I will mature more and more in the faith.  Because of my deep love for God, I will continue to learn and obey.  After all, if I do not have love for God, why will I deprive myself of certain activities and pleasures that are sinful (Heb. 11:25).

            This love for God cannot be a “lukewarm” love.  The way that Jesus described it shows the greatness of love that must be shown.  Love with “all thy heart”, “all thy soul”, and “all thy mind” denotes a love above all others.  We must learn to love to God so much that we will not question His other commandments.  Rather, we will obey them as a devoted servant.  That is how we show God our love for Him.  Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  He continued, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:  and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21).  In other words, when we reject God and His Word, we show Him that we do not really love Him the way that Jesus emphasized.  An example of this is seen in the church of the Laodiceans mentioned in the book of Revelation.  Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot:  I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16).  They were unwilling to commit to God with a fervor.  As such, their mediocrity made the Lord “sick”.  Where do we stand in regard to our love for God?

            Next, Jesus indicated that we must love our neighbor as ourselves.  This is akin to what we call “the golden rule”.  Jesus taught, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:  for this is the law and the prophets” (Matt. 7:12).  Most of us do not want to be abused and mistreated.  Instead, we appreciate it when someone is compassionate, understanding, and kind.  If we are having difficulites in life, then we no doubt are grateful when someone else aids us.  That must be the kind of love that we show to our fellow man.  Let me make sure that there is no confusion about the issue.  The love that I am to have is not just reserved for fellow Christians, but for all mankind.  Paul wrote, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).  His nationality, his skin color, his economic status, and whatever else is not the deciding factor for whether I love him as God commands.  Where do we stand in regard to our love for our neighbor?

            I wonder if the reader let in dawn on him that both of “the two greatest commandments” are to love.  There is a reason why Paul wrote, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Cor. 13:13).  Charity, or agape love, must be the motivating force behind our service to God and our neighbor.
~ Corey Barnette