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Articles
Love One Another
In the final week of Jesus’ life, Jesus spent much of His day teaching in the temple. During those final days the Pharisees often came to question Jesus and His authority. On one such occasion, the Pharisees questioned Jesus and asked, “Is it lawful to give poll-tax to Caesar, or not?” (Matthew 22:17). Jesus knowing their hearts and the intent behind the question responded, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (22:21). Jesus’ answer left the Pharisees in amazement and they left waiting for another opportunity. The Sadducees were the next to come and try to trick Jesus into teaching falsehood, but they, like the Pharisees, were amazed and quietened by the simple responses of Jesus.
Finally the Pharisees gathered again and one from among them, a lawyer, asked Jesus, “Teacher, what is the great commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:36). This question arose from the Pharisees’ greatest desire, to catch Jesus in the wrong. Surely, in that moment they felt a false sense of victory, assuming that Jesus would not be able to escape such a difficult question. While this may have stumped any normal man, the Son of God seemingly without hesitation replied, “You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost command” (22:37-38). While this would have sufficed the question, Jesus continued by giving them the second greatest command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (22:39). Certainly, the Pharisees were once again trumped by the wisdom and truth of Jesus. The Pharisees’ plan to capture Jesus by their questions had once again failed and Jesus came away with victory over the wisdom of this brood of vipers.
The problem that plagued the Pharisees throughout the days of Jesus was they had failed to obey either of these two commands. If the Pharisees had loved God and desired to obey His commands would Jesus have been crucified that upcoming Friday? If the Pharisees had truly loved their fellow man would they have sunk to such deception and debauchery in the arrest and trial of Jesus? Certainly, it remains evident that when one lacks in his love of God and man, sin will reign in his heart, and darkness will follow him upon the way. While the outcome of the Pharisees may differ from us in the 21st century, if we are not willing to love God and our fellowman, then can we not be guilty of a similar sin?
Love is one of the most powerful emotions we can express as humans. It is also one of the most misunderstood words in our English language. While other languages have diminished this misunderstanding by implementing additional terms that help to both clarify the degree and meaning of love. The English language continues to use the same term to speak of “loving chocolate” and “loving my wife.” While these examples may seem elementary, they manifest the difficultly we confront because of the lack of contrast we have in the English term, “love.” It is with this foundation we want to be able to answer these questions – What does it mean to love God? What does it mean to love others?
When one exclaims, “I love God,” but in the very next breathe takes His name in vain, is he manifesting the true love commanded by Jesus? The one who loves God is the one who shows Him ultimate loyalty in his life. To love God is to give Him preeminence in every thought, word, and deed in our lives. God must be the focal point that determines every decision we make. We must love God more than anyone or anything, only then will we fulfill the greatest command. Our love toward God is built upon the love He first showed to us. The apostle John wrote, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). God’s love, in all its different manifestations, culminates in the giving of His only begotten Son. Therefore, we ought to be motivated by this tremendous sacrifice and reciprocate the love of God. When one says, “I love God,” it should mean that he has given Him everything because anything less would be unacceptable.
While this first command may be easier to institute in one’s life, the second is directly tied to one’s obedience of the first. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). If we are willing to fully love God, then we must obey His commands! Our love for others can be manifested in a variety of ways. One such way is revealed in the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37). When the Samaritan came upon the badly beaten man who had been left to die, he “felt compassion” for him. The Samaritan bandaged his wounds, saddled him upon his beast, brought him to an inn, took care of him, and paid for his health care. In each of these steps, there is a different degree and manifestation of love for neighbor. How many of us are willing to do the same?
A second manifestation of loving others is taught in the sermon on the mount. Jesus said, “You have heard it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). Loving one’s enemies may be one of the hardest tasks to fulfill as a Christian, but it is necessary for anyone who desires to fulfill the Father’s will. We must learn to love all of mankind as God does and be willing to pray even for our enemies. Therefore, our love for others should move us from a purely physical concern to also caring for their spiritually eternities.
What is the whole duty of man? Solomon said, “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). If we are going to fear God, then we must love Him! We must love God by showing Him our loyalty in denying all others for Him. We must manifest a heart of humility and thankfulness because it was Him who first loved us. If we are going to keep His commandments, then we must love others! It is upon these two commands that we cannot excel in the one without the other as Jesus aptly concluded, “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:40). How much do you love God? How must do you love your neighbor?
