The Greatest Commandment

The Greatest Commandment

“’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.’” – Matthew 22:37–39

Jesus said all of God’s law and the writings of the prophets hang on these two commands.

How do we show love to God?

Matthew 25:31–46

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
Matthew 25:31–32

The Sheep (Righteous):

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”
Matthew 25:34-36

✅ Commended Actions (for the “Sheep” on His right):

  1. You gave Me food when I was hungry
  2. You gave Me drink when I was thirsty
  3. You welcomed Me when I was a stranger
  4. You clothed Me when I was naked
  5. You cared for Me when I was sick
  6. You visited Me when I was in prison

The Sheep’s Response:

The righteous are confused and ask:

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
Matthew 25:37-39

Jesus’ Answer:

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40

Jesus said these acts were done for Him when done for the least of these brothers and sisters of His.

Why did Jesus say this? Because He was there, suffering along with these people. He is an intimate God, not far away, but with His people. Our acts of love and compassion are not only felt by the people we reach, but by God Himself. That’s why He said “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” — John 14:15

So, How Do We Love God With Everything?

Jesus taught us what to do. In this order, He said: Ask, Seek, and Knock.

Even if you think you already have the answers, I urge you—please revisit what Jesus Himself taught, because there are great deceptions in many churches today. The Bible must be understood through the teachings of Jesus—not the other way around, and not commingled with religious tradition.

Ask: Who are You, Jesus? What is Your true gospel? What is Your Kingdom? Why did You go to the cross?

Seek the answers using His own words, and know that He will surely lead you to the truth.
Then, when you’re ready, repent and knock on the door.
He will open it and welcome you in with arms wide open.


First, Seek Jesus and His Kingdom

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” — Matthew 6:33

Discover the truth about the gospel, the Kingdom of God, and who Jesus Christ really is—based on His words.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” — Mark 1:15
“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” — John 17:3


Then, using your God-given free will, decide whether you’re willing to repent—to turn away from yourself daily and fully trust in Him, without turning back.

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” — Luke 9:23
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62

If you do, you will enter the Kingdom of God, which will be within you and around you as you walk in trust with Jesus.

“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed… for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” — Luke 17:20–21 (NKJV alt. translation)
“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3


You will be born again, and His Spirit will dwell in you.
This is the Spirit of Truth—who convicts, teaches, and reminds us of everything Jesus said.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper… He dwells with you and will be in you.” — John 14:15–17

Jesus, the Messiah, will begin a work in you—transforming your heart and setting you free from the bondage of sin.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” — Luke 4:18
“Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin… So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:34–36


It won’t be easy. The path is narrow, and the world is against you.
But build your life on the rock. Hold on to the truth He gives you so you can stand when the storms come.
And always remember: He will never fail you. He will never leave you.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33
“I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20


As you continue in relational trust with Jesus, you’ll experience a love and peace so deep, so fulfilling, that no amount of money, fame, or power could ever compare—and no words can fully describe it.
When it penetrates your soul, you will understand the true meaning of:

“My cup overflows.” — Psalm 23:5

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” — John 14:27
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:11


This is what we call joy.

And in this joy, we begin to bear fruit.

With a new heart, we become thankful, kind, gentle, forgiving, compassionate, slow to anger, patient, peace-making, and eager to serve others—not for credit, but in humility and in secret, because of what Jesus has done for us.

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” — John 15:8
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26
“When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…” — Matthew 6:3


In short:

To obey Jesus’ commands is to love Him—
but obedience without the heart is empty.
True obedience flows from a heart of love and trust, and that’s why this is the greatest commandment.

As we grow in personal relationship with Jesus, He transforms us into people who genuinely desire to obey and follow God.
That’s the destination. That’s how we overcome.

“This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome.” — 1 John 5:3

When it becomes a joy to do God’s will, then you are truly loving God with everything.

So desperately pursue relational trust with Jesus—
Because He alone holds the title of Christ.
As the saving Messiah, He will break the chains of sin,
Give you a heart of flesh,
And sow the love of God in you—so that you can love others as He has loved you.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” — John 14:15
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” — John 13:34 “No one is good—except God alone.” — Luke 18:19

“Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and does them… is like a man building a house on the rock.” — Luke 6:47
“But the one who hears and does not do them… his house fell, and great was the ruin.” — Luke 6:49

✝️ Jesus Came to Save the World

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”Luke 19:10

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”John 15:13 (NKJV)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”John 10:11 (NKJV)


For God So Loved the World

💡 “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

“…whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”

But what does it mean to “believe” in Him?

In the original Greek, the word translated as “believe” is pisteuō (πιστεύω). It means far more than intellectual agreement—it means to entrust your entire self to Jesus.

To believe is to:

  • Trust Him completely
  • Be faithful to Him as Lord
  • Surrender your will to His authority
  • Follow His words and example

“And He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23 (ESV)
“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” – Matthew 7:14 (ESV)

True belief results in obedience, not out of obligation, but out of love.

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”
— John 14:23

“God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:17


💔 He Came for the Broken

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”Matthew 5:3

Jesus came for the ones who know they need Him—the humble, the poor in spirit, the meek, the oppressed, and the brokenhearted.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Luke 5:31–32
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me… to proclaim good news to the poor… to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18

When Jesus said “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” He included an irony here that must be understood.

Jesus made it clear that no one is righteous on their own—no one is truly good except God. In fact, when speaking to the crowd, He referred to them (and humanity in general) as being evil. The reality is: all people are lost apart from Him.

The difference between those considered “righteous” and those called “sinners” is this—sinners can admit they are lost. They know they need help. These are the “poor in spirit” whom Jesus calls blessed. But those who see themselves as righteous often do not come to Him at all.

If you can’t come before God in complete honesty—examining, recognizing, and acknowledging your own sinful nature—Jesus can’t save you. He came to call sinners to repentance, because the self-righteous can’t hear. Jesus extends an open invitation to everyone—but He won’t override someone’s refusal to repent. “You refuse to come to Me to have life.”John 5:40

Repentance isn’t about you conquering sin by effort. It’s not a scoreboard. It’s not about how well you’re doing. Repentance is about trusting Jesus—leaning fully on Him—and allowing Him to transform your heart. It’s about becoming broken, being brutally honest, renouncing sin, and surrendering the very areas you cannot overcome. True life begins when you draw closer, lean harder, and walk yoked with the One who is good, faithful, and unfailing. It is His glory to overcome for you, to carry you when you can’t stand—and that happens when you surrender, again and again.

So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” — Mark 10:18. This wasn’t a denial of His divinity—it was a challenge to the man’s shallow understanding of goodness. True goodness belongs to God alone, not to human effort or morality.

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children…” Luke 11:13. He wasn’t insulting His audience—He was pointing out the fallen nature of all humanity. Paul echoes this in Romans 3:10: “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
The truth is: we are not born righteous—we are born in need of rescue.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — see Matthew 5:3. Being “poor in spirit” means seeing the truth in who you are compared to the truth in who God is, recognizing that something is really wrong, and that you are in desperate need of rescue.

Repentance is about humility, an acknowledgment of sin, and surrender to the truth in Jesus; it is not about works or self-improvement —Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14)—the one who humbled himself was the one made right with God.

Jesus invites us “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”Matthew 11:28–30**


He never said life would be easy—but He shares the burden, and He offers rest for your soul. This is the picture of a life daily surrendered, walking out your problems with Jesus—not striving for God’s approval, but resting in His presence and in the truth of His words.


⚠️ He Warned the Proud

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”Mark 8:36

Jesus spoke strongly against the proud, the self-sufficient, and the lovers of money.
He called out:

  • The rich who trusted in their wealth
  • The proud who exalted themselves
  • Those who loved the world more than God

“You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
“Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” – Luke 6:24

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”
— Mark 8:36

Additional Context of Jesus Speaking (Mark 8:34–37):

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?”

Jesus also phrased the same idea this way “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”John 12:25 (NKJV)
Jesus is alluding to the truth that if you love what the world offers, you are actually at enmity with God. Choosing to love the things of this world reveals that you serve it as your god. And what is your inheritance? Death—because that is what all temporary things lead to.

James, half-brother of Jesus and known as “James the Just”, put it bluntly when he said “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4

Those who come to know this truth begin to hate the empty pursuits of the world. They see clearly how chasing fleeting comfort, pride, and pleasure leads only to loss—of self, of purpose, and often of those we love.

Those who truly love God cannot love the life this world offers. They willingly lay it down. In doing so, they find true life—through loving God and serving others. Their inheritance is eternal life.

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:15 (written by the apostle John, not Jesus, but reflects His teaching)


📖 Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:16–21

And he told them this parable:
“The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest.
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain.
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”


📖His Words Alone Save and Judge

“For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.”John 12:47

Jesus didn’t come to bring condemnation—but He warned that His words would be what judge us in the end:

“There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.
For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.
– John 12:48–50


🔍 What does “accept my words” mean?

The Greek word for “accept” here is λαμβάνω (lambanō)
It means to:

  • Receive, embrace, or take hold of
  • Not just hear, but to receive with agreement and obedience

So when Jesus says “accept My words”, He means:

  • Take them into your heart
  • Agree with them
  • Live by them
  • Let them become the foundation of your life

It’s the opposite of just hearing and doing nothing.

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” — Luke 6:46
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them…” — Matthew 7:24


🔥 Context: Eternal Consequences

Jesus is saying:

  • His words are not optional.
  • To reject Him and not receive His words = judgment.
  • On the last day, His own words will be the standard by which people are judged.

Why? Because:

“I did not speak on my own… the Father who sent Me commanded Me…”

So to reject Jesus’ words is not just rejecting a teacher or prophet—
It is rejecting the very words of God the Father.

🔹 Jesus Speaking Directly from the Father

Jesus does not just speak inspiration—He speaks revelation from direct knowledge and unity with the Father.

For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.” — John 12:49
“The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does His works.” — John 14:10
“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing.” — John 5:19

Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14).
He is not just a messenger—He is the message, perfectly revealing the Father.

✅ The message is from the Father, through the Son, with perfect clarity and authority.

So why does this matter?

Because Jesus’ words hold absolute authority. They are the foundation of the faith:

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” — Matthew 24:35
“Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24

Even the apostles (including Peter, John, and James) affirmed Jesus’ words as the highest authority. Therefore all scripture, both Old and New Testament, needs to be discerned, interpreted, and understood through the truth as revealed by Jesus — the divine Son of God, the anointed messiah, and the truth in whom the body of His church is built upon.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” — John 14:6 (ESV)

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 (ESV)

“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18 (ESV) The “rock” is Peter’s declaration in verse 16:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

So Jesus is building His church (those who believe in Him) on the truth of who He is. It is this truth, this rock, this foundation that allows us to overcome all lies and all deceptions that lead to the gates of hell. Therefore, be wise and build your house (your spiritual understanding, your temple) on His rock (His words, His truth) and your house will stand for forever.

Luke 6:47–49 The wise man hears His words and does them—he’s like a man building a house on rock.
The foolish man hears, but does not obey—and his house falls.

🌟 The Second Greatest Commandment

“’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.’”Matthew 22:37–39

Jesus said all of God’s law and the writings of the prophets hang on these two commands.


📖 Parable of the Good Samaritan – Luke 10:25–37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In reply Jesus said:
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers.
They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

“Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’
Matthew 9:13 (Jesus quoting Hosea 6:6)


🏠 Coming Home

To believe in Jesus is to come home.
It is to stop running, stop striving, and be restored to the One who made you.
He calls us to surrender our sins, ambitions, and fears—and to walk daily in truth, peace, and joy.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28


📖 Parable of the Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11–32

Jesus continued:
“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’
So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
So they began to celebrate.”

 

📖 Luke 15:4–7 (NKJV)

4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.”