Lesson 12 Review: Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?” (1 John 4:20, NKJV).

God makes all things good in the end, but what we do now still matters. We are obligated as Christians to alleviate suffering and evil we come across to any degree possible. Love and justice are inseparable, God loves justice, and if we love God, we will love justice too. Likewise, if we love God, we will love one another, sharing a concern for the well-being of those around us.

What are the two greatest commandments?

The “ ‘first and greatest commandment’ ” is “ ‘ “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ’ ” “ ‘The second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ’ ” “ ‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt. 22:37-40, NKJV).

What lessons can we learn from the encounter between Jesus and the lawyer and the encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler?

“To keep back little or much from God was to retain that which would lessen [the rich young ruler’s] moral strength and efficacy”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 520. We must love God with all our hearts, all our soul, and with all our mind, not holding back anything or cherishing anything else above God. Our love for God means we love the people around us and on this hangs all the Law and the Prophets.

What are the two greatest sins?

The two greatest sins are idolatry to which God responds with the anger of love and the mistreatment of His people, whether individually or corporately. They are basically failings of love.

What does Scripture declare about God’s stand with justice?

Scripture declares that God loves justice and hates evil.

What does God desire and require from those who claim to love Him?

“ ‘He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?’ ” (Micah 6:8, NKJV).

Was the call for justice a concern only for the Old Testament?

No. Justice was an utmost concern to Christ Himself. According to Matt. 23:23, “ ‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone’ ”  (NKJV).

“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)?

Your neighbor is anyone who is in need of help. Christ gave Himself in love in order to establish justice. He is both just and the Justifier of all who believe. Jesus came in fulfillment of the cry for justice (Luke 4:16-21).

In Conclusion,

Love for God is love for our neighbor, love for God is love for justice. May God help us to love Him with all our heart, with all our souls and with all our mind, in Jesus’ name.