THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT – And What It Can Mean To You

 

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

(And What It Can Mean To You)

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.  And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 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.’ This is the great and foremost commandment.” (Matthew 22:34-38)

Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:1-5, “Now this is the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD your God has commanded me to teach you, so that you may do them in the land where you are going over to take possession of it, so that you, your son, and your grandson will fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Now Israel, you shall listen and be careful to do them, so that it may go well for you and that you may increase greatly, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

 “Hear, Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! And you shall Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

It has been taught and understood by the most of the early disciples and Jesus’ Apostles that becoming a Christian was a serious commitment, in fact a covenant with God, to follow Jesus: You shall Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

We can see from the life of Peter that this was not always an easy task to master, as it will be challenging for anyone who chooses to follow Jesus. But what it was equally clear that the failure to honor your commitment and covenant with God will not end well, as we see in the life and tragic death of Judas Iscariot. Jesus even warns that “it is the one who endures to the end who will be saved”. (Matthew 24:13).

It is not that God seeks vengeance or revenge for those who do not love and honor Him. He does not seek vengeance or revenge. We are born with a rebellious and defiant nature. A rebellious and defiant nature toward God and all of His creation. And it is because of that endemic human nature that all of us are condemned to death. Yes, death, both a physical and spiritual death which leads to an eternity of torment in darkness and fire. You see, it is what we believe in our hearts, in the core of our being, while we are alive that directs our soul and spirit after our natural death. Scriptures cryptically reveals that “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness”.

In ancient Greek and Jewish culture, the eye was often seen as a window to the soul and a symbol of perception and understanding. The eye was also associated with moral and spiritual insight. In the Hebrew tradition, the “eye” could represent God’s watchfulness and care, as well as human moral and spiritual awareness.

The Greek word “Bad” in the Greek is “ponéros” which is used in the New Testament to describe that which is morally or ethically evil, wicked, or malicious. It often refers to actions, thoughts, or individuals that are contrary to God’s nature and commands. The term can also denote the influence of evil, such as the evil one (Satan) or evil spirits.

In the New Testament, “darkness” is the Greek word “skotos” which primarily refers to physical darkness, the absence of light. However, it is often used metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral darkness, symbolizing ignorance, sin, and separation from God. It contrasts with “phos” (light), representing truth, righteousness, and divine presence.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, darkness was often associated with chaos, evil, and the unknown. This symbolism carried into Jewish thought, where darkness was seen as the domain of evil forces and a state of spiritual blindness. The New Testament writers, drawing from this cultural backdrop, used “skotos” to depict the spiritual condition of those who live apart from God’s truth and light.

Why is this relevant to a modern day Christian and why would any of this be important? It is only by changing the focus of your “eyes” from darkness to the Light of God that you can find relief from this threat of eternal darkness to an eternity with and in the Light of God. John 1:4-5 and verse 9, tells us that, “In Jesus is life, and the life is the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overpower it. His is the true Light that, comes into the world, and enlightens people”.

Furthermore, Loving the LORD God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, is a visible demonstration of your commitment and covenant with God as a Christian, is not only the Greatest Commandment but it is the Greatest Commitment.

(It might seem that I am wandering off subject here, but it has become an emerging pattern to call oneself a Christian, a follower of Jesus, but on one’s own terms and according to one’s own rebellious interpretation of the Bible. But the Bible tells us that “no prophecy of Scriptures is a matter of someone’s own interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). (In the New Testament, “prophéteia” refers to the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. It encompasses both the foretelling of future events and the forthtelling of God’s will, often for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and comfort within the church).

This “emerging pattern”, as I have called it, is nothing more than a remake of ancient paganism. And it is paganism that leads people astray of God and into occultism. (see 1 Corinthians 12:2). And paganism has been on the rise in America and around the world over the last 75 years.

The Church and Christians have become comfortable with their successes of influence, popularity and wealth, so they have slipped into pride and arrogance and a slid into a codified religion of rules, rites and rituals much like the legalism of the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees of ancient Israel. It created a vacuum and the practices and rituals of paganism is filling that void.

 THE GREATEST COMMITMENT

The antithesis of paganism is to love the LORD God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. It is also the Greatest Commitment a person can make.

Once you have made a commitment, a covenant with God to follow Him, it is eternally binding. Jesus has said to various disciples that following Him and receiving what He has promised comes with a great cost. When one asked if he could go home to bury his dead father, Jesus replied, “follow Me and let the dead bury their own dead”. On another occasion Jesus told a follower, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is worthy of the kingdom of God”.

Dear friends, please read these next words carefully and please do not get caught up in a jumble of denominational doctrinal confusion.

“For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away (renounced the faith), to restore them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. For ground that drinks the rain which often ^[g]falls on it and produces vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned” (see Hebrews 6:4-8).

REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND

This all comes to intent. I have heard people say that divorce is sometimes acceptable.

Some folks say that sometimes tattoos are okay.

Some say carrying a ‘lucky charm’ for good luck is harmless. I say you are flirting with fire.

Even on these three examples God has been clear. We are to be set apart from the appearances and practices of this world. Although we are in this world, we are not of this world. We are to stand apart from this world and its practices. Our aim should be to excel in the things of the Spirit of God in order to glorify and to magnify God.

If you consider yourself a Christian and are considering divorce, stop now and write me. If you have already divorced, quick, write to me.

If you are considering getting face or body piercings or tattoos, stop now and write to me. If you already have tattoos, write me and let’s talk.

If you depend on horoscopes, astrology, lucky charms or anything of that kind, please stop now and write to me. You are dancing dangerously close to the flames.

Please turn away from the things of this world that lead to death and turn to God through His Son, Jesus and live. Love the LORD God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength, and live!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

NEXT: REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS NOW AT HAND

 

PS:  THE FINER POINTS

(Deuteronomy 6:5) defined and explained, says thus:

The word “Heart” as found in the Hebrew, is “lebab” which primarily refers to the “heart,” not just as a physical organ but as the center of human emotion, thought, will, and moral character. It is often used metaphorically to describe the inner person, encompassing feelings, intellect, and volition. In the Old Testament, “lebab” is frequently associated with one’s inner life, intentions, and spiritual state.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the heart was considered the seat of life and the core of one’s being. Unlike modern Western thought, which often separates emotion and intellect, the Hebrew understanding of the heart included both the emotion and intellect. The heart was seen as the source of wisdom, understanding, and moral decision-making. It was believed that God could see into the heart, discerning true intentions and character.

The word “Soul” as found in the Hebrew, is “nephesh“ which is a multifaceted term that appears frequently in the Old Testament. It is often translated as “soul” or “life,” but its usage extends to denote the essence of a person, their inner being, or life force. It can refer to the physical life of a creature, the emotional and spiritual aspects of a person, or the entirety of a living being. In some contexts, “nephesh” is used to describe desires, appetites, and emotions, reflecting the holistic view of human nature in Hebrew thought.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of “nephesh” was integral to understanding human identity and existence. Unlike the Greek dichotomy of body and soul, the Hebrew perspective viewed humans as unified beings. “Nephesh” encapsulated the totality of a person’s life and being, including their physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. This holistic view is evident in the way “nephesh” is used to describe both humans and animals as living beings with breath and vitality.

The word “Strength” as found in the Hebrew is “meod”, which is an adverb used to intensify the meaning of an adjective or verb. It conveys the sense of “very” or “exceedingly,” often used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, “meod” is frequently employed to underscore the intensity of emotions, actions, or characteristics.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, language was often used in a vivid and expressive manner. The use of intensifiers like “meod” reflects a linguistic tradition that values emphasis and clarity. The Hebrew Bible, as a foundational text for Jewish and Christian traditions, uses “meod” to convey the depth of human experience and divine attributes, highlighting the importance of wholehearted devotion and the magnitude of God’s works.

In the New Testament (The Greek language):

Jesus replied, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Matthew 22:37).

The word “Heart” in the New Testament Greek is “kardia” which is used metaphorically to refer to the inner self, encompassing the mind, will, emotions, and moral center of a person. It is not limited to the physical organ but represents the core of human identity and spiritual life. The heart is seen as the seat of thought, emotion, and decision-making, reflecting one’s true character and intentions.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, the heart was considered the center of physical and spiritual life. This understanding was carried into the Jewish and early Christian contexts, where the heart was seen as the locus of moral and spiritual activity. The heart was believed to be the place where God communicates with humans, and where faith and understanding reside.

The word, “Soul” In the New Testament Greek is “psuché” and is used to denote the immaterial and eternal aspect of a person, often translated as “soul” or “life.” It refers to the essence of a person that encompasses emotions, desires, and the will. It is distinct from the physical body and is often associated with the eternal aspect of human existence. “Psuché” can also refer to the life force that animates the body, as well as the seat of feelings, desires, and affections.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek thought, the concept of the soul (psuché) was significant in understanding human nature. The New Testament writers, influenced by both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, used “psuché” to convey the depth of human existence and the importance of the soul in one’s relationship with God.

The word “Mind in The New Testament Greek is “dianoia”, and refers to the mind or intellect, “encompassing the faculties of understanding, reasoning, and thought. It is often used to describe the inner workings of the mind, including intentions, purposes, and the capacity for moral reasoning. In the New Testament, “dianoia” is frequently associated with the transformation and renewal of the mind in the context of spiritual growth and understanding God’s will.

Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of the mind was central to philosophical discussions about human nature, ethics, and the pursuit of knowledge. The mind was seen as the seat of rational thought and moral decision-making. In Jewish thought, the mind was also significant, often linked with the heart as the center of one’s being and moral life. The New Testament writers, influenced by both Jewish and Hellenistic thought, emphasized the importance of the mind in understanding and living out the Christian faith.