Published: 08/06/2020
One Sin, Many Transgressions:
When we sin, we commit not just one, but multiple transgressions. In adultery, we first idolize the adulterous desire, then engage in the act. Thus, we neither love God nor our neighbour.
A Proper Match: Jesus’ First and Moses’ First Three Commandments
As explored in previous articles, Jesus' first command to love God is identical to the first three commandments in Moses' Ten Commandments. I reiterate: Those who love God, the Creator, wholeheartedly, with all their intelligence, knowledge, and mind, will certainly:
- Worship only God
- Keep holy the days created by Him
- Not utter His Name unnecessarily
A Proper Match: Jesus' Second Command and Moses' Last Seven
On the other hand, those who love their neighbours as themselves will only be able to abide by Moses' remaining seven commandments:
- Will honour their parents, who are their neighbours, because they love them.
- Will not kill their neighbours, because they love them.
- Will not indulge in adultery with their neighbours, because they love them.
- Will not steal their neighbours’ goods, because they love them.
- Will not be unjust with their neighbours, because they love them.
- Will not covet other females, who are their neighbours, because they love them.
- Will not be greedy for their neighbours’ property, because they love them.
Jesus did not utter anything new, but presented Moses' ten commandments in a style to substantiate God's desire:
Those who disobey Jesus' first command also disobey the second.
On the other hand, those who disobey Jesus' second command also disobey the first.
This means those who do not love God do not love their neighbours either, and those who do not love their neighbours do not love God either.
As it is written in scripture:
“God is Love.” (1 John 4:8, NIV)
The Ultimate Accountability: Loving God and Neighbours
We must remember that on the Judgment Day, God will take account of our love for Him and our neighbours, which Jesus has presented in the New Testament in a clear and concise manner:
Moses’ first three commandments = ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37, NIV)
Moses’ last seven three commandments = ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39, NIV)
To be Continued…..
==> Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll uncover how 'Worshiping Intangible Idols is More Destructive than tangible Idols’ that transforms our faith journey.
Amen!
Praise be to God, Thanks be to God.
Not being Unrighteous is Religion!!
India! Peace be upon you!!
Peace to the whole world!!