THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT: LOVE

TO KNOW AND LIVE THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT: LOVE 

Matthew 22:34-40 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

We are going to explore two meanings and applications of the word “LOVE”: AGAPE (GOD’S) AND PHILEO (BROTHERLY). 

PART I – AGAPE (GOD’S LOVE) 

The Love, Word, of God has been tested since He created man to be a steward of His creation. And with knowledge and  authority comes pride and conceit to the point of man thinking they are smarter, more powerful, and creative than YHWH. Like in Biblical times, today’s world is made up of people who study and know the law but do not know love, mercy nor the grace of YHWH (GOD) through Yashuah (Jesus). They say they love YHWH, God and/or fellow man but show a different truth; they have difficulty placing Yashuah (Jesus) in His righteous place as the Son, (God Himself incarnate), the only one who can deliver us from evil and sin. 

To suite our wants and needs, we have become more like the Sadducees and Pharisees; always trying to prove, with questions and made-up answers, that Yashuah (Jesus) did not exist, is dead, or never did exist; was not raised from the dead.  

A little background on the two outstanding sects of Biblical time, who set the tone of degree of love, praise, and worship during ancient time. The Sadducees were a sect among the ancient Jews, who did not believe in the resurrection (of Yashuah, Jesus), eternal life (That is to be or come hereafter), the spiritual world (which included the Holy Spirit since He is the major spirit), or the existence of angels and demons (Acts 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both).  They shared united (joined) opinions, originated in one particular person. This person, who taught and continued and multiplied (throughout those, collectively, who shared the same mindset) the production of the same kind of information; they spread, some peculiar notions and maintained it as being truth. They were noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity (the quality of being well-grounded, sound, or correct) of their own oral (spoken) traditions concerning the law: they believed in the literal or spoken law. (Acts 23:1-3 23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”) 

Pharisees was, also, a member of a Jewish sect of the intertestamental period. A sect (A body or number of persons united in tenets (Any opinion, principle, dogma, or doctrine which a person believes or maintains as true), chiefly in philosophy or religion, but constituting a distinct party by holding sentiments (Thought; opinion; notion; judgement;) different from those of other men. Most sects have originated in a particular person, who taught and propagated some peculiar notions in philosophy or religion, and who is considered to have been its founder. Their religion consisted in a strict observance of rites and ceremonies and of the traditions of the elders, and whose pretended holiness led them to separate themselves as a sect, considering themselves as more righteous than other Jews/men. They were noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law (like today; observance yet no obedience) and, on the validity (importance; nothing or no one else matter) of their own oral traditions or translations concerning the law.  They are the ones who wants you to follow after every word they say whether true or not. They have taken certain passages from the Bible and put a self-interpretation on it. And they expect you to praise them, not the LORD. (Matthew 23:2-5 23 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments). 

If you notice, in today’s world, tossing the word “Love” around has become a favorite pastime of those who are looking to use someone for their gain. Or to use it just for fun, with no true, godly meaning behind it. The words that comes out of their mouth sounds good but as soon as it is said it is forgotten, like a puff of smoke that slowly fades away into the abyss. And it usually gets a generous reaction; one that is surely recognized and abandoned. 

To correct our ill-gotten ways and through and in spite of all this misbehaving, mischief and mayhem, God gave us the greatest commandment through Jesus Christ; love Him first, love others as yourself. But do we really understand the concept, the importance, and degree of this commandment? Undoubtedly, we do not because the world is in such a mess, which indicates our non-existing understanding of GOD’s love for us. Yet He love us still.  

Now, to understand the concept of LOVE, we must know what it is and Who authored it; where it come from and how we are to respond to it at all times. So, first, let us look at the meaning of the word love. To me these are the two categories of love that are the most important. Yet they are overlooked and omitted in our daily lives; the Agape (love of God, major, ultimate love) and Phileo (brotherly love).  

The first and foremost is the God Love or the Agape love. It means unconditional love, “the highest form of love, charity” and “the love of God for man and of man for God”. This is the expression of God, that He shows us every second of the day, even when we do not recognize it. It is used to speak of God’s love that He has for the world and that we as His children are supposed to emulate (pattern ourselves after). This is the word that describes God’s “love” that is most commonly used in the New Testament. Agape speaks of the most powerful, honorable type of love: sacrificial love. Agape love brings more than a feeling to a relationship, it brings an action of the will. 

 This is the love that God has for His people and the love that prompted the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus, for our sins. Jesus was the epitome of agape love: He was love personified. The agape love is the love that the children of YAH (GOD) (Christians) are to practice, continually, as seen in Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37 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. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 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. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[a] 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.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”) 

One of GOD’s most important show of love toward us was when He gave His Son, our Saviour, for our sins, so that we may have life with Him, eternally. (John 3:16 16 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). This scripture can be considered as a summary of what being a child of the Most High God, while emulating the show of His love to the world through us, is all about. And it became our banner, expressing the love we sincerely have for GOD.  

Another way YHWH, GOD, show His love for us is by waking us up every morning, He does not have to do it, but I am so glad that He does. He gives us new mercy (God’s compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within His power to punish or harm) which none deserve yet get.  The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Numbers 14:18. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. Genesis 32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him). Added to mercy, is His grace (the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him; favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin) that He gives us anew, every morning. Because every day, we completely deplete ours, plus some, for the day.  God knows that we will do this, so He applies Christ’s righteousness to the sinner, where sin abound. He has given us access to grace, for the redemption of our sin, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; this is how faithful He is. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me). Romans 5:20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, A state of reconciliation to God. Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

For us to receive and understand LOVE we must first seek to find the true and faithful meaning of YHWH (GOD’s) LOVE (AGAPE), the ultimate love.  When we have come to the end of that journey, we will be able to show the genuine love for one another (and self). But first we must lay the foundation for righteous love through understanding, realizing, GOD’S LOVE. knowing, and accepting the love of GOD. Once we have accomplished that, we will learn what the love of God really means: the unconditional, unmerited, profound dedication He has for us, used as the foundation on which we build our relationship with Him and others. There is no bond greater than the one formed in the midst of God’s love. (Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”). You see, YAH put this commandment before us to get our spirit in line with His Spirit; it is to regulate the feelings, emotions, and actions of His people. And because He is good and righteous His love is a beacon which opens to His mercy and grace. If we do not understand His love, needed to foster the strength to survive; to combat hatred, and sin we will perish. The storms will come, the winds will blow yet, through it all, we will be able to stand against it with GOD’S LOVE. We all need God’s love to cover us, daily.  

Until we actually know (not head but heart knowledge) the LOVE of GOD, we will continue to experience all the battles (fruit of the flesh) we are facing and will be defeated. (Galatians 5: 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God). But when we grasp the concept of God’s love embedded in the fruits of the Spirit but recognize there also, is the fruit of the flesh, which, with Yashuah’s, Jesus’ help and strength, can be easily combated. (Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another). It is an unimaginable place and feeling, you truly must get in to feel this position of positive power.  Know this, that a heart, overflowing with love, will have no room for hatred. And when we accept the love of God, we will know how to love others. Because God is LOVE. (1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God). 

Our Prayer: Lord thank You for Your LOVE and strength that help us to go through the storms of the day. Thank You for Your amazing grace. Thank You for giving us all we need to suffice. Thank You for Your Ultimate Love; our Saviour Yashuah, Jesus. Our Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.