“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” — Matthew 22:36–40 (KJV)
Introduction: A Question That Reveals the Heart of Faith
For a new Christian, the Bible can feel large and complex, filled with commands, teachings, and history. In this passage, Jesus answers an important question: What matters most? His response does not add confusion. Instead, He brings perfect clarity. He reveals that all of God’s will can be understood through two commands—loving God and loving others.
Loving God With All That You Are
Jesus begins with the greatest commandment: to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
- Heart speaks of our desires and affections. God is not to be loved only with words, but with genuine devotion.
- Soul refers to our inner life—our will, identity, and loyalty. Loving God means belonging to Him fully.
- Mind points to our thoughts and understanding. God calls us to think rightly about Him, to learn His Word, and to grow in truth.
For a new Christian, this means that faith is not merely believing facts about God. It is a full surrender of life to Him. Christianity begins with a relationship, not a rulebook.
Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
Jesus then gives a second commandment that flows directly from the first: to love your neighbor as yourself.
This does not mean placing others above God, nor does it mean neglecting wisdom or truth. It means caring for others with the same concern we naturally have for ourselves. Our “neighbor” includes family, fellow believers, strangers, and even those who oppose us.
For new believers, this teaches an important truth: genuine love for God will always show itself in how we treat people. Faith that does not produce love is incomplete.
Why These Two Commandments Cannot Be Separated
Jesus says, “The second is like unto it.” In other words, these commandments are connected. You cannot truly love God while hating people, and you cannot truly love people without first loving God.
Love for God shapes our values. Love for others reflects God’s character. Together, they form the foundation of Christian living.
The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled in Love
When Jesus says, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets,” He is teaching that every command in Scripture points back to love.
- God’s laws teach us how to love Him rightly.
- God’s warnings teach us what destroys love.
- God’s promises show us His loving nature toward us.
For a new Christian, this is freeing. Obedience is no longer about fear or earning salvation. It is about living out love in response to the grace we have received through Christ.
Conclusion: A Simple Yet Life-Changing Foundation
Jesus did not complicate the faith. He clarified it. The Christian life begins and continues with love—love for God above all things, and love for others as a reflection of that devotion.
For new believers, this passage provides a clear guide: if you seek to love God deeply and love people faithfully, you are walking in the very heart of God’s will.