The Great Commandment: God's Law of Love
At the heart of the Bible’s message is love—not only God’s love for us but also His command for us to walk in love by loving Him and loving others. Jesus made it clear that love is not just an option—it’s a command. When asked to identify the most important commandment, Jesus revealed what is known as the Great Commandment (also called the Greatest Commandment), which can also be understood as God’s Law of Love.
God's 10 Commandments Summarized into 2 Great Commandments
Jesus simplified the entire Law of God into two foundational commandments:
The Greatest Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind”. The 2nd Greatest Commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is God’s divine Law of Love. It is the foundation of His entire moral and spiritual order, and it defines what it means to walk in obedience to Him.
Jesus' Response to the Religious Leaders
During His ministry, Jesus was often tested by religious leaders who tried to trap Him with theological questions. One day, a teacher of the law asked Him:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 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 22:36-40 Jesus revealed something profound: Every law, every command, every prophetic word in Scripture is rooted in love.The Law of Love in the Old Testament
Although Jesus highlighted the Great Commandment in the New Testament, it wasn’t a new concept. He was quoting two powerful Old Testament scriptures:
Love God → Deuteronomy 6:5: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Love Others → Leviticus 19:18: "...but love your neighbor as yourself." From the beginning, God's law was a Law of Love. His commandments (i.e., the Ten Commandments) were never about empty rituals, but about shaping a people who would love Him wholeheartedly and love one another selflessly.Why The Law of Love Matters
The Great Commandment isn’t just about following rules—it’s about walking in love as a way of life. When we embrace God’s Law of Love, we reflect His nature and fulfill His will.
> Loving God means putting Him first—above our desires, plans, and possessions. > Loving others means treating them with the same grace, patience, and kindness that we receive from God. In other words, love is the fulfillment of God's law. When we choose love, we are obeying Him in the purest form possible.
The Connection to the Ten Commandments
The Great Commandment is often called "God's Law of Love" because it summarizes the Ten Commandments into two relational principles:
The first 4 commandments (Exodus 20:1-11) focus on loving God—no other gods, no idols, honoring His name, and keeping the Sabbath. The last 6 commandments (Exodus 20:12-17) focus on loving others—honoring parents, not stealing, lying, coveting, or committing adultery or murder. Jesus simplified the law without diminishing its meaning. Instead, He revealed its true purpose—to love God and to love people.
Walking in God's Law of Love
Loving God and loving others isn’t just about knowing the right words—it’s about how we live each day.
> Love God through worship, prayer, and obedience. > Love others through kindness, generosity, and forgiveness. > Be a light to the world by showing Christ’s love in action. When we walk in love, we are fulfilling the very purpose for which we were created. Loving God and loving people is the ultimate calling of every believer.Final Thought: Love Is Our Highest Calling
Jesus didn’t just teach The Great Commandment—He lived it. His life, death, and resurrection were the ultimate expressions of love for both God the Father and for us. To follow Jesus is to walk in God’s Law of Love.

If you would like to learn more about God's commandments we encourage you to visit our Ten Commandments Academy page. It will provide you with more in-depth information and insights about the importance and purpose of God's commandments. Please select the button below to access the Ten Commandments Academy page.
