The greatest commandment

[Jeremiah Ames]

Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Two instructions given. Two very specific instructions.


My question: How or what is done to meet these requirements. For instance, what does it look like to an outside observer? Be precise. No generalities.

 

[Deeje]

Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Two instructions given. Two very specific instructions.


My question: How or what is done to meet these requirements. For instance, what does it look like to an outside observer? Be precise. No generalities.

Interesting that Jesus said that the whole law was based on these two. That means that if you broke God's law you contravened either one or both of those commandments.

So how do we show love for God that involves everything that we do and everything we are? It doesn't mean being fanatical, it just needs a pause to stop and ask ourselves how God would view a decision or action that we are about to undertake. It becomes a modifier of our thought processes because thoughts almost always precede actions.

James 1:13-15 shows the chain reaction that takes place before we sin.

"When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14 But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death."

So if this is the process that leads to sin, love of God will prevent us from taking the first step....like blaming God or refusing to see that our own actions were at fault? We will evaluate everything from God's perspective, first.

As imperfect people, we will never be able to do anything perfectly, but we have all the advice we need to keep trying.
To an outside observer, we should be calm and rational people who love to help others. Love of neighbor should be obvious in how we interact with people whom we see in need. It would demonstrate itself by offering a helping hand "up" rather than just a hand "out".

It means not keeping company with people who are of questionable character or who use foul language or who treat God's laws with contempt. Seeking the company of like minded individuals will help us to stay "unspotted by the world".

James goes on to say....vs 19-27
"Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, put away all filthiness and every trace of badness, and accept with mildness the implanting of the word that is able to save you.

22 However, become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.


26 If any man thinks he is a worshipper of God but does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he is deceiving his own heart, and his worship is futile. 27 The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world."

Who could have said it better?

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

Interesting that Jesus said that the whole law was based on these two. That means that if you broke God's law you contravened either one or both of those commandments.

So how do we show love for God that involves everything that we do and everything we are? It doesn't mean being fanatical, it just needs a pause to stop and ask ourselves how God would view a decision or action that we are about to undertake. It becomes a modifier of our thought processes because thoughts almost always precede actions.

James 1:13-15 shows the chain reaction that takes place before we sin.

"When under trial, let no one say: “I am being tried by God.” For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone. 14 But each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn sin, when it has been carried out, brings forth death."

So if this is the process that leads to sin, love of God will prevent us from taking the first step....like blaming God or refusing to see that our own actions were at fault? We will evaluate everything from God's perspective, first.

As imperfect people, we will never be able to do anything perfectly, but we have all the advice we need to keep trying.
To an outside observer, we should be calm and rational people who love to help others. Love of neighbor should be obvious in how we interact with people whom we see in need. It would demonstrate itself by offering a helping hand "up" rather than just a hand "out".

It means not keeping company with people who are of questionable character or who use foul language or who treat God's laws with contempt. Seeking the company of like minded individuals will help us to stay "unspotted by the world".

James goes on to say....vs 19-27
"Know this, my beloved brothers: Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about God’s righteousness. 21 Therefore, put away all filthiness and every trace of badness, and accept with mildness the implanting of the word that is able to save you.

22 However, become doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves with false reasoning. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, this one is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, and he goes away and immediately forgets what sort of person he is. 25 But the one who peers into the perfect law that belongs to freedom and continues in it has become, not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work; and he will be happy in what he does.


26 If any man thinks he is a worshipper of God but does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he is deceiving his own heart, and his worship is futile. 27 The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world."

Who could have said it better?

Very nicely said Deeje.
Thank you for your thoughtful response.

 

[Jesuslightoftheworld]

Matthew 22:36-40 New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Two instructions given. Two very specific instructions.


My question: How or what is done to meet these requirements. For instance, what does it look like to an outside observer? Be precise. No generalities.

I think the greatest commandment to love your God... means to follow all his laws. When we love Him we should fear and revere Him. He must come first in everything. Loving our neighbors...generosity, kindness, mercy, tamed tongues, forgiveness, and humility.

 

[Katja]

Interesting that Jesus said that the whole law was based on these two. That means that if you broke God's law you contravened either one or both of those commandments.

I interpret this a different way-- that if you do not do these two things, nothing else legalistic that you do matters. For example, people who might be adamant about a woman not wearing trousers or not eating X or doing/not doing Y on the sabbath, and then turns around and persecutes someone.

And also points out that these are the things other commandments are based on and that is the reason for those commandments-- we do not kill or lie because it hurts other people, which isn't loving toward them, etc.

 

[Deeje]

I interpret this a different way-- that if you do not do these two things, nothing else legalistic that you do matters. For example, people who might be adamant about a woman not wearing trousers or not eating X or doing/not doing Y on the sabbath, and then turns around and persecutes someone.

Isn't this what the apostle Paul indicated?...

He speaks of one who is “a Jew in name”, and then shows that if that one transgresses the law his “circumcision has become uncircumcision”; and, conversely, if “an uncircumcised person keeps the righteous requirements of the Law, his uncircumcision will be counted as circumcision”. Paul’s conclusion was: “He is not a Jew that is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew that is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code.” (Romans 2:12-29)

So, its not what you call yourself...its how you live your life....how you choose to worship God. There is a right way and a wrong way to do everything. Jesus showed us the right way....if we imitate him and follow his teachings (all of them, not just the convenient ones) then we can't go wrong. Its not about your label, but it is about who you choose as your brotherhood.

And also points out that these are the things other commandments are based on and that is the reason for those commandments-- we do not kill or lie because it hurts other people, which isn't loving toward them, etc.

It is often called "the Law of Love" or "the Law of the Christ"....the Law of Moses was now fulfilled. This is the only Law that guides Christians now.