The First and Greatest Commandment

by Dale Partridge

It should amaze us that Jesus reduced the 613 Jewish laws down to two simple commandments—love God and love others. But as simplified as our Lord has made it, do you find yourself capable of obeying these two laws? Think about it… Have you ever loved the Lord with all of your heart and all of your soul and all of your mind? Maybe? But probably not. If it was possible during a worshipful moment, could it be sustained? The obvious answer is no.

Unfortunately, the same is true of the second commandment—to love your neighbor as yourself. Essentially, whether we are aware of it or not, we are in constant need of God’s grace. Without Christ’s righteousness imputed to us through faith, we would be in a neverending state of sinfulness and guilt.

In this episode of Real Christianity, Dale Partridge discusses the beauty of the grace we depend on in light of these commands.

Scripture References

Matthew 22:34-40

“But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
1 Peter 1:15-16

“But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
1 John 4:19

“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:7-8

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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