Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“On these two commandments hang the whole law and the prophets.”
Jesus, in Matthew 22:40
If one pays attention to the words of God throughout the ages, he will realize that every commandment of God has to do with developing or maintaining right relationships. The way of God has never been the way of a loner.
Every one of God’s commandments concerns relationships. Every one of them. “Thou shalt not steal” is an example. To steal from your neighbor is not the way to have a right relationship; therefore, God commanded His people not to steal.
God’s way is the way of holy love. That is why Paul said, “Love is the fulfillment of the law.” Every one of God’s commandments is intended to guide us into a right relationship, either with Him or with one another. Every one of His commandments teaches us how to have relationships that are healthy and holy and eternal. There is no commandment just for you, apart from anybody else. There are no loners that are going to be saved in the end. You are going to have a good relationship with others on their way to salvation, or you are going to be lost forever.
One man asked Jesus, “What is the great commandment in the law?” And Jesus replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” And then Jesus added, “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” He then made the remarkable observation that on those two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. In other words, the whole will of God is summarized by those two commandments.
Keep those two commandments, my friend, and you will meet God in peace.