The Greatest Commandment of God

We are instructed in  2 Cor 13:5 to “Examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith...” This is the third installment of the “Did God Really Say” series. Today, we look at the answer Jesus gave when asked by a lawyer of the Pharisees what the greatest commandment of God was (see Matt 22:36).

The goal of this series is to review Scriptures regarding the behavior and lifestyles of those claiming to be “Christians”. In other words, becoming fruit inspectors of ourselves per God’s Word, NOT man’s. We need to be honest with ourselves and see if there are areas that need work in our lives. Why?

Because we are headed full steam ahead into the ultimate 7-year pouring out of God’s wrath, as prophesied, on a Christ-rejecting world.

A Quick Recap

We saw in part 1 (here) that only 4% of those claiming to be “Christians” in the USA have a biblical worldview. Moreover, Jesus stated that the gate to eternal life was narrow. Likewise, He warned the road to hell is wide, and multitudes choose its easy way (see Matt 7:13-14 TLB).

In part 2 (here), we saw that we are experts at deceiving ourselves. Moreover, Satan, the master of deception, will trick us into thinking everything is ok, no worries, nothing to see here, keep moving… (see 1 Jn 1:8, 1 Jn 5:19, and Jam 1:22). Additionally, we are warned of false teachers who will also deceive us.

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them,”. (see 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Moreover, in fact, according to God’s Word, people will increasingly not tolerate the truth of His Word and do whatever they want… (see 2 Tim 4:3 AMP and 2 Tim 4:4 TLB).

Traditions of Men

How complicated our lives have become. At least mine seems to be more often than not. With all our modern conveniences that were supposed to simplify our lives, it appears we have complicated our lives even more by cramming more activities into our schedule.

Likewise, the traditions of men can complicate our lives if we try to live by men’s standards. Which leads me to the additional rules the rabbis of Israel developed.

On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the 10 Commandments (see Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21).

Moreover, God gave the Israelites 613 additional instructions and laws relating to how they were to conduct themselves as His holy nation.  

Vain Worship

Eventually, after the Babylonian captivity, rabbis decided they needed to add extra rules to safeguard the law. These added laws were part of what became known as the “Oral Law,” passed from generation to generation, which were eventually written down..

Jesus often found Himself in conflict with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders over their human traditions added to God’s divine commands. Jesus said in Matthew 15:9: “… in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men”.

Apparently, the Pharisees were more concerned with people following their rules than with understanding God’s intent. Therefore, they created contradictions and burdens that God never intended.

Moreover, we still see this today. Man-made doctrines based on out-of-context Scriptures. (It is a control Issue in my opinion.)

What Is The Greatest Commandment of God?

Here is the response Jesus gave when asked by the lawyer of the Pharisees what the greatest commandment was.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matt 22:37-39

That is childlike simple. Love God, Love People.

Jesus continued: ^“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Our Lord does not leave it up to us or to traditions of men to define what loving Him and our Neighbor looks like. Therefore, let’s examine ourselves this week by looking at a few scriptures to see what God really says loving Him looks like.

How Do We Fulfill the Greatest Commandment of God?

Jesus’ answer came from the most important prayer in Judaism, called the Shema. It’s the Hebrew word for “hear” found in Deut 6:4-9

We fulfill the greatest commandment by loving “the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.“– Matt 22:37

What does that look like? The first four commandments tell us (see Ex 20:3-11).

The Greatest Commandment Declares He Alone is First in Your Life

#1 – “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. (Exodus 20:2-3)

Loving God with our heart, soul, and mind requires us to remember it was Jesus Christ who humbled Himself and left His heavenly throne to personally pay the penalty for our sins against Him. Yes, you read that right.

King David knew his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband were not only a sin against them but, more importantly, a sin against God Almighty.

“For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight…” (Psa 51:3-4) emphasis mine.

Christ, instead of delivering us from Egypt, is bringing us out of the bondage of sin and death, and through His death and resurrection, we are being led to an eternal home with Him!

Why would you want to serve other “small g” gods such as money, sports, games, movie stars or ____________ (you can fill in the blank). We all allow something at one time or another to creep in and push our awesome God to the sideline. Therefore, we must be on guard against allowing it to happen. When it does happen, ask God for forgiveness.

Loving God Means You Worship and Serve Only Him

#2 – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God… (Ex 20:4-6)

This command is similar to the first. Other nations had carved images of “small g” gods, which they worshiped that often involved child sacrifice and prostitution (see Lev 18:21 and Deut 23:17).

However, this was not acceptable behavior for Israel. Therefore, God commanded Israel not to imitate the pagan behaviors of the surrounding nations. Israel was to be a distinct Holy nation that pointed others towards God and His promised coming Redeemer, Messiah, and Savior.

Likewise, we see in 1 Pet 2:9 that Followers of Christ are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”

Idol Worship Today

According to GotQuestions.org,

An idol is anything we depend upon to meet the deep needs of the heart—love, security, worth, or significance. When we seek to find identity and security in something besides God, we have made it an idol… We often search for peace or identity through relationships, substances, money, or entertainment. Addictions are forms of idolatry, as are a host of other worldly enticements that cannot ultimately satisfy…

God hates idolatry in any form (Deut 6:14–15; Deut 32:21; Jer 2:5; Lev 26:1). It steals the attention and honor that belong only to God (Deut 6:5; Lk 10:27). In many nations today, carved gods and goddesses are still an obvious violation of this commandment. However, the sin of idolatry is ultimately a sin of the heart.

Even good things can become idols if we are not careful. Ministry, hobbies, charity work, or family can usurp the rightful place only God should hold in our lives.

When we emotionally rely on anything other than our relationship with Him to validate us, we are breaking the second commandment. – GotQuestions.org

Loving God Means Reverencing and Respecting His Name

#3 – “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Ex 20:7)

The main purpose of the third commandment is reverence to God ( see Psa 111:9 and Ecc 5:1-2). Many people believe this commandment refers to swearing. However, there is much more involved when talking about the vain use of God’s name.

Ancient Jewish Culture

Names held significant meaning in ancient Jewish culture. Names conveyed the essence of a person’s character or attributes. The Israelites were instructed to treat God’s name with utmost reverence. They understood that it represented His divine nature and authority.

The Hebrew word used for vain is šāv’, meaning: futile, pointless, empty, worthless. Those who call themselves “Christians” and pray in His name take His name as part of their identity. However, those who deliberately and continually disobey His commands are taking His name in vain. Got Questions.org states:

If we profess to be Christians but act, think, and speak in a worldly or profane manner, we take His name in vain. When we misrepresent Christ, either intentionally or through ignorance of the Christian faith as proclaimed in Scripture, we take the Lord’s name in vain. When we say we love Him, but do not do what He commands (Lk 6:46), we are taking His name in vain. – GotQuestions.org

Loving God Means Resting in Him

#4 – “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God  (Ex 20:2-10).

The Hebrew word “šāḇaṯ”(Sabbath) means to cease from exertion. The KJV translates Strong’s H7673 in the following manner: cease (47x), rest (11x), away (3x), fail (2x), celebrate (1x).

God never told Adam to remember the Sabbath. In fact, God gave Adam only three specific commands (see Gen 1:28 and Gen 2:17).

The Sabbath command was given to the children of Israel after God brought them out of Egypt.

“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy…it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death…You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the LORD…It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel…” – Ex 31:12-17

Loving God With All Our Heart, Mind, and Soul

Observant Jews today celebrate the Sabbath, or Shabbat, beginning at sunset on Friday and ending at sunset on Saturday, marking 24 hours of rest and spiritual observance (see Lev 23:32).

Followers of Christ worship together on Sunday as the Sabbath, while others worship on Saturday. When I was a child growing up, most businesses were closed on Sundays, which allowed individuals to have a day of rest and observe the Christian Sabbath. Unfortunately, God has been pushed into the background as He is deemed no longer number one in many American lives…

However, if we truly love God with all our heart, mind, and soul, let’s strive to honor God through gathering together to hear the preaching and teaching of His Word, and through our praise and worship. This is our opportunity to take a much-needed rest from our normal work and activities and glorify God for what He has done for us. (See Ex 20:8, Deut. 5:12).

Worship belongs only to God. It doesn’t belong to any actor, sports team, possessions, or anything else on this earth. If God is not our number one priority, there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.

A Few New Testament Scriptures on Loving God

• For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. – 1 Jn 5:3 (see also 2 John 6:6)
• “And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments.” – 2 Jn 1:6
• “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” – Matt 4:10
• “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth.” – Jn 4:24
• “Fear God and give Him glory, for the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” – Rev 14:7
• “Let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” – Heb 13:15    

Closing Thoughts

How can we love someone with all our heart, mind, and soul if we don’t spend time together? A casual relationship with the Lord will not do. We need to spend time with the Savior. Let us set time aside to bask in His presence and enjoy His love letter written to us. Let us spend time in conversation with Him and make a point to listen as He reveals His heart to us. After all, as a follower of Christ, we are His bride, and our wedding day is approaching.

As Followers of Christ, we are not perfect. However, we strive to be obedient to God’s Word. When we trip and fall, we seek God’s forgiveness and continue toward the finish line.

For those of us walking the narrow path, stand firm in the Lord. The Rapture is soon. Christ has prepared our eternal home for us.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. – Jn 14:1-3

The Most Important Decision

For the 96% claiming to be “Christians,” but do not have a Biblical worldview, do you believe that you qualify as a follower of Christ?

Being sure of your relationship with Christ is the most important decision you face. I pray we meet in heaven. If needed, as long as you have breath in your lungs, you have time to repent and become a true “follower” of Christ. Don’t wait!

God has promised those who truly follow Him that WE WILL NOT go through the tribulation.

Followers of Christ have been SAVED FROM God’s wrath and SAVED TO a glorious eternity in the New Jerusalem.

My Prayer

Father God, I thank you for the opportunity you have given me to encourage others with your precious Word. I ask that your Holy Spirit stir the hearts of those who visit this site. Open their eyes and hearts to understand that You are not slack concerning the promise of our catching away in the Rapture of those who strive to follow You.

Abba, You are long-suffering toward those created in Your image, giving people a bit more time to repent. Help them to understand it’s not Your will that any should be cast into the Lake of Fire that was created for Satan and his demonic realm, and You are waiting with open arms for You have said if we come unto You, you will give us rest… Amen and Amen.

Maranatha!

Until next time, I am Passionately Loving Jesus, the Anchor of my Soul.

In part 4, we look at “… loving your neighbor as yourself.” – Matt 22:39

If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below. It encourages me when I hear from you! You may find the following articles and video link helpful:

• How to begin a relationship with Jesus
• What does the Bible say about how to love God? – Got Questions
• Here’s the best way to show that you love God – Christian Today