The Great Commandment

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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.

The $1 Million Dollar Question:

Will you go to Heaven when you die? Here’s a quick test:
Q. Have you ever told a lie?
Q. Have you ever stolen anything?
Q. Have you ever used God’s name in vain?
Q. Have you ever lusted over someone?
Q. Have you ever hated someone?

If you have done these things, God sees you as a liar, a thief, a blasphemer, an adulterer-at-heart, and a murderer-at-heart. And this is only 5 of God’s Ten Commandments (a/k/a “God’s Law”). And the Bible warns that on the Day of Judgment, God will punish you in a terrible place called Hell. But, there is “good news”! God is not willing that any should perish. Sinners broke God’s Law, but Jesus paid their fine by shedding His sinless blood on a cross ~2,000 years ago. This means that God can legally dismiss their case (and yours!): “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Then Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death. Today, repent (turn away from your sins), put your complete trust in Jesus, and confess Jesus as your Lord & Savior… and God will give you eternal life as a free gift.

The $1 Million Dollar Myth:

Contrary to popular belief, being a “good person”, doing “good deeds”, or being “religious” will not get you a ticket to heaven! Many people are hoping God will dismiss their sins because their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. They further hope that because God is “good” he will let them go unpunished and enter heaven. However, because God is “good” he must by nature punish sinners (i.e., God would not be a good judge if he let criminals go free). The Bible states: “There is no one on earth who is righteous, no one who does what is right and never sins.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20) The Bible also states: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) And finally, think about this, if your goodness could save you, Jesus would have died in vain (i.e., for no good reason). The Bible states: “I (Jesus) am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father (God) except through me. (John
14:6) Friends, please don’t “roll-the-dice” and gamble your eternal life on the life-threatening lie that being a “good person” will get you to heaven.

Yes, today I am deciding to follow Jesus:

Here is a prayer you can use to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord & Savior. It is a suggested prayer – the key is that you are speaking from your heart.
“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me turn away from sin going forward. I believe that your Son, Jesus Christ, died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus into my heart and I confess him as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank You for sending your Holy Spirit to help me obey you, and to do your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Congratulations! And welcome to God’s family!

 

Yes, I am already a follower of Jesus:

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    I am a Christian and want to grow in my faith.I am recommitting my life to Christ.

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