God gave the people of Israel many commandments and laws. What they did with the commandments and laws determined their righteousness before God. However, by its very nature, the law was given to show how impossible it is for us to fulfil. Of all the commandments however, one was universally acclaimed as the greatest of all.
This book seeks to point to the reader that it is not possible to fulfill the Great Commandment all on our own. It is when we receive Jesus Christ that we receive the ability to love God with all our hearts and souls. It is Jesus Christ who sheds the love of God in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
Table of Contents
1. How do we love God?
2. The condition of the human heart
3. The Power and Influence of the Gospel of Christ
4. Fulfilling the Second Commandment
5. You must Decide
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the theological possibility of fulfilling the Great Commandment—to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind—and argues that such fulfillment is humanly impossible without the transformative work of Jesus Christ.
- The biblical definition and weight of the Great Commandment.
- The failure of self-effort, legalism, and outward religious ritualism.
- The natural condition of the human heart as described in scripture.
- The role of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit in enabling true love for God.
- The connection between fulfilling the first commandment and practicing the second commandment through evangelism.
Excerpt from the Book
How do we love God?
If loving God is the greatest commandment, how do we then show or demonstrate our love to God? Many peoples and religions have their own way of demonstrating their love for God and man. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees and Scribes developed elaborate ways to do this for all to see.
Matthew 23:5 (KJV) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Phylacteries were prayer boxes. Modern day Jews call it tephillin. They consisted of strips of parchment on which were inscribed these four texts: Exodus 13:1-10; 11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Deuteronomy 11:18-21, and which were enclosed in a square leather case. These were worn on the forehead or on the left arm near the elbow. The Scribes and the Pharisees enlarged their phylacteries to be prominent, thus showing their zeal or love for God. But Jesus said this was only for a show. Other things they did included making long prayers and even making some converts to Judaism. They had special rites for washing hands before eating. They were so meticulous with the Law of Moses that their interpretation of it produced voluminous books that received more credence from them than the Law itself.
Chapter Summaries
How do we love God?: This chapter explores historical and religious attempts to demonstrate love for God, highlighting the outward rituals of the Pharisees and contrasting them with the true intent of the law.
The condition of the human heart: This section analyzes the biblical perspective on the natural state of humanity, arguing that the human heart is inherently incapable of loving God according to the standard set by the Great Commandment.
The Power and Influence of the Gospel of Christ: This chapter discusses how the Gospel acts as an internal, transformative power, using the parable of the leaven to illustrate how God’s grace influences the entire human being.
Fulfilling the Second Commandment: This section explains how the second commandment is fulfilled through the Great Commission and the active sharing of the Gospel with others as an act of selfless love.
You must Decide: This concluding chapter provides practical steps for individuals to receive Christ, repent of sin, and transition from religious self-effort to a life defined by faith and divine grace.
Keywords
Great Commandment, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Gospel, Pharisee, Human Heart, Grace, Love of God, Faith, Righteousness, Evangelism, Great Commission, Repentance, Law of Moses, Spiritual Transformation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this book?
The book focuses on the Great Commandment and addresses the central question of whether it is humanly possible for any person to fulfill it through their own efforts.
What are the main thematic areas?
The central themes include the nature of true love for God, the insufficiency of legalistic and religious rituals, the reality of human depravity, and the necessity of Jesus Christ for salvation and transformation.
What is the primary research question?
The research question asks if anyone has successfully loved God to the extent required by the Great Commandment, and it posits that humans are fundamentally incapable of this without divine intervention.
Which scientific or theological methodology is used?
The work utilizes a theological and exegetical approach, relying on critical analysis of biblical texts from both the Old and New Testaments to support its conclusions.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the historical context of the law, the specific failure of the Pharisees' approach, the theological condition of the human heart, and the redemptive power of the Gospel as the catalyst for obeying God's commands.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Great Commandment, Salvation, Grace, Gospel, Human Heart, and Faith.
What is the author's view on the Pharisees' attempts to obey the law?
The author views their attempts as "outward show" and "filthy rags," noting that they focused on external compliance while ignoring the necessity of a heart change.
How does the author define the relationship between the Great Commandment and the Great Commission?
The author argues that the Great Commission is essentially the practical expression of the second commandment, where love for the neighbor is demonstrated by sharing the Gospel message.
- Quote paper
- Abraham Quarcoo (Author), 2017, The Great Commandment. Can We Fulfill It?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/386095
