Simplifying God’s Commandments: Love God and Love Your Neighbor

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37

Dear Friends,

Have you ever felt burdened trying to follow all of God’s commandments? If you have ever read through the Old Testament, you know it can seem like an endless list of rules. But Jesus simplifies it for us in one powerful statement: Love God and love your neighbor.

Jesus’ powerful summary came in response to a tricky question from a religious leader — one designed to discredit Him. Repeatedly, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day sought to trap Him in His words. In Matthew 22 alone, three different parties posed questions meant to discredit Him and His ministry. But Jesus responded wisely to His critics every time.

Which is the Greatest Commandment?

After the failure of the first two groups of interrogators, another Pharisee and expert in the Law approached Jesus and asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?” 

Without missing a beat, Jesus summarized God’s Law into two categories: Love God and love your neighbor. A careful reading of the original 10 Commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai shows the wisdom of this statement. The first few commandments speak of our relationship with God, while the last commandments speak of our relationship with others. All of the other laws and directives given throughout the Bible hang on these two commandments. 

Jesus’ wise answer subverted the lawyer’s plan, but it also gave us a clear understanding of God’s requirements for us. We are also called to love God and love our neighbor.

Obedience: A Top Priority

In loving God, we must make obedience a top priority. Jesus told His disciples, “He who has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him”  (John 14:21).

The first set of commandments God gave Moses warn against worshiping any other gods and making any graven images. While many in our circles today don’t necessarily bow down to idols, we often give other things in our lives greater importance than we give God. By considering where we spend most of our time and money we can discern danger areas that may lead us to break these commandments.

The Second Important Commandment

After loving God, Jesus stated that the second most important commandment is loving our neighbors. We show love to others by obeying these: 

• Honor your father and mother 
• You shall not murder.
• You shall not commit adultery. 
• You shall not steal. 
• You shall not bear false witness.
• You shall not covet your neighbors’s wife, servants or goods. 

Jesus reiterated the command to love our neighbor to His disciples right before His death saying, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:12). 

Who exactly is our neighbor?

A Personal Reflection

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on a special friend I grew up with. We lived three houses apart and spent countless hours playing together. Our families were close and her friendship brought a lot of joy during my formative years. I recently learned of her sudden tragic passing.  While I grieve her loss, I’m also reminded that Jesus’ call to love our neighbors extends beyond just our close friends. His command challenges us to love even those we find difficult or those outside our social circles. 

Loving our neighbors, as Jesus taught, means showing kindness, compassion, and grace to everyone around us — including strangers, acquaintances, and even those who may challenge us the most. When we love others as Christ loved us, the world will recognize we are His disciples (John 13:35). 

Love God and Love Your Neighbor

The expert in the Law who tried to stump Jesus with his question could not argue with Jesus’ answer. All of God’s laws can be summarized in this way: Love God and love your neighbor. An Old Testament prophet put it this way. “What does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Have you ever felt overwhelmed wondering what God wants from you? It is really very simple. Consider Jesus’ answer to His critic. Love God and love your neighbor. Do these and the world will know you are His disciple. 

Love,

Mama

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