Of all the commandments, which is the most important? When someone asked Jesus this, He didn’t hesitate: “You shall love the Lord with your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Put simply, love God, love people! That’s the spirit behind this assessment—and you’re encouraged to take as much time as you can set aside to prayerfully consider each response!
Where do you find yourself for each of the following related to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”?
- I put God the Father first:
- I acknowledge God for who He is (see Matthew 6:9-10)
- I have removed idols that get between me and God
- I seek first God’s Kingdom (see Matthew 6:33)
- I take care of my body (that God gave me)
- I put God the Son first:
- I spend time with Jesus through prayer
- I spend time with Jesus reading the Bible
- I rely on Jesus daily for the help that I need
- I take time out each day to spend with Jesus
- I experience God’s grace through Jesus regularly
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus tells us that our “neighbor” is everyone around us. In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), He teaches us how we should treat those around us. Let’s now apply this to the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
- I treat others as I would like to be treated (Matthew 7:12)
- I am merciful to others (Matthew 5:7)
- I am a peacemaker with/for others (Matthew 5:9)
- I am not angry with others (Matthew 5:22)
- I do not insult others (Matthew 5:22)
- I do not judge others (Matthew 7:1-5)
- I do not hold grudges against others (Matthew 5:38-41)
- I forgive others (Matthew 6:12, 14)
- I am reconciled with others (Matthew 5:23-24)
- I do not lust after others (Matthew 5:27-28)
- I give to those in need (Matthew 5:42, 6:1-4)
- I tell others about God and Jesus (Matthew 5:13-16)
- I love my “enemies” (Matthew 5:43-48)
As you reflect on your above responses, how would you summarize them in “the great and first commandment” and “the second like it”?
- “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
- “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Why not talk with God about your overall results? With this in mind, here are a few questions to consider:
- What is God revealing to you about your priorities?
- Who might “cheer you on” toward loving God, loving people?