The Two Great Commandments Amplified
Matt. 22:37 — 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.”
If those who call themselves believers knew how to love the Lord with all their heart, soul and mind, they would be zealous for good works done in Jesus Christ’s name (Titus 1:16; 2:7, 14; 3:8).
Matt. 22:38 — “This is the first and great commandment."
If this Scripture were understood, people would be living words of God. living by the words of God, living by every word of God, living like God, living for God and imitating God (Deut. 8:3; 1 Pet. 4:2; 1 Pet. 4:11; Eph. 5:1). They would be serving others continually for the glory of God, being servants of the most and being doers of His word (James 1:22).
Matt. 22:39 — “And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Gal. 5:14 — For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
This Bible study will prove that serving God is serving others with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind (Deut. 11:13).
1 Cor. 13:13 — And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Charity means affection, compassion, mercy, love, benevolence, good will; It is also that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow man. Good will toward men or liberality to the poor consists of giving money to the poor, doing good for those in need, relieving people in distress, liberality in gifts and services to promote public service, and liberality in judging men and their actions (James 1:27). It includes thinking the best of people. The highest form of charity is charity toward the uncharitable (Luke 6:35). It includes any act of kindness toward another and being liberal in the judgment of others (James 5:9).
1 Cor. 13:5 (KJV) — Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. (NIV) — It [love] is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
A person who lives godly—lives for God—no longer seeks to please self or live a selfish life, but rather, now lives to please and serve others in any and all areas by living charitably (1 Pet. 4:2). A disciple of Jesus Christ is kind in all His deeds and in all his actions, and is continually serving others for the glory of God (Matt. 5:16).
1 Cor. 10:24 (KJV) — Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. (NIV) — Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
It pleases God when we become servants of the most by continually serving and doing our best to please others (Matt. 23:11). We are not to live sinful lives, living for our flesh and self, but we are to live only to do the Will of God, which is serving others and helping God by continually helping others in need, in Jesus Christ’s name (1 Pet. 4:2; Col. 3:17).
Gal. 5:13 (NIV) — You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. (KJV) — For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
We are free from religious suppression as was found under the law of Moses with its priests, temple worship, tithing, sacrifices, holy days and Sabbath day (Matt. 11:28 AMP). Is there any question that God’s love is shown by words and by deeds of kindness (1 John 3:17-18)?
Gal. 5:14 — The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.
Now the entire law of Moses has been replaced with the command to love others by putting them first before self (Rom. 7:6 AMP).
Rev. 22:12 — “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done."
If you continue to do nothing for God each day, then every day that you live, you remain unrepentant, unrewarded, unreconciled, unsaved and you continue to be under the wrath of God because of disobedience (John 3:36; Luke 6:46).
1 Tim. 5:10 (NIV) — And [the godly woman] is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. (KJV) — Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
A woman of God is well known for her good deeds toward others, she will bring up obedient, submissive and courteous children, and she is continually showing hospitality to others and sharing her home with others who need a place to stay (Proverbs 31:10-31).
Acts 10:1-2 (KJV) — There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. (NIV) — At Cæsarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Cornelius showed God continual respect by giving generously to those in need, personally; and his whole family was following his example. They prayed for others all the time; therefore, their requests were heard by God.
Acts 10:34-35 (KJV) — Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (NIV) — Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
Any person who will continually live a charitable life, continually doing good for God by serving others, and learn righteousness by practicing righteousness and continually doing good toward others, will be accepted by God (Acts 10:35). Fearing God is showing God respect daily by keeping, doing and performing God’s Ways in all that we do (Deut. 8:6). Anything that is right is worth doing for God (Col. 1:10).
2 Chron. 6:14 (NIV) — He said: “O Lord, God of Israel, there is no god like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in Your Way.” (KJV) — And said, “O Lord God of Israel, there is no god like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and showest mercy unto Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their hearts.”
When you keep God’s Ways with all your heart, that is when your light shines before others and they can see your good works (Matt. 5:16; 6:1). Keeping God’s Way is easy and pleasant, and it allows God to crush Satan and put Him under your heel (Matt. 11:30; Rom. 16:20).
2 Chron. 15:7 (NIV) — But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (KJV) — Be ye strong, therefore, and let not your hands, be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
Yes, a disciple of Jesus Christ has works and they are all good. They persevere in doing good because they seek to be glorified and honored and given salvation and eternal life (Rom. 2:7). When you are strong in good works and do not slack off in doing your good works, you will receive your reward from God. That reward is having Christ’s nature formed in you, which results in you becoming a new creature (Gal. 4:19; 6:9; 15).
Rom. 2:6 — Who [God] will give to each person according to what he has done.
If this Scripture means what it says, many people will receive absolutely nothing from the Lord.
Rom. 2:7 — To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
It would be glorious if everyone who claimed to be a disciple of Jesus Christ would fulfill this Scripture daily.
Rom. 2:8 — But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Those who continue to ignore God daily and live their lives for self will receive wrath and anger (Ezek. 7:8; Mic. 5:15). Those who will not practice the truth daily will remain of the devil (1 John 3:10). Remember you cannot reject the truth unless you know it and refuse to do it. Rejecting the truth is denying the Lord by being worthless for good deeds (Titus 1:16). Those who reject the truth are those who continue living detestable and disobedient lives before God. God will give them a strong delusion so they will follow the beast who is shortly to come (2 Thess. 2:10-12).
Rom. 2:9 — There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Trouble and distress is the way of the unconverted, the wicked and those who remain under a constant curse from God.
Rom. 2:10 — But glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile
Notice, peace comes from doing good for God. Glory, honor and eternal life come to those who live in the Way of righteousness, which is a new and living Way (Matt. 21:32; Heb. 10:20). Repentance leads to life (Acts 11:18). This Way of life causes no small disturbance (Acts 19:23). You enter the kingdom within by forcing yourself to do what is right and pleasing in God’s sight daily (Luke 17:21; 16:16). Practicing righteousness until we do the Father’s Will from our heart is how we achieve this Way of life (Matt. 5:20; 6:1; Eph. 6:6).
Matt. 16:27 — “For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.”
If you have done nothing for God yesterday or today, and you do not plan to do anything for Him tomorrow, you are deluded if you think you are saved (James 1:22). To live is to serve others (Matt. 20:28).
Eph. 6:6 (NIV) — Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the Will of God from your heart. (KJV) — Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the Will of God from the heart.
If you are doing good for reasons of repentance, to please God and not men, and you are doing your good in Jesus’ name for the glory of the Father and to overcome evil, then righteousness will eventually come from your heart, because God causes the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). God’s Will is righteousness; and He loves those who practice righteousness and practice honesty at all times (Psalm 11:7; 106:3). Righteousness is a sacrifice but it is well pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 4:5; Heb. 13:16).
Eph. 6:7-8 (NIV) — Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord Will reward everyone for whatever good he does whether he is slave or free. (KJV) — With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
When you serve someone, help someone, or cheer up someone, do it willingly, wholeheartedly, with zeal and compassion like you are serving the Lord. Do you really believe that you will receive blessings from the Lord by continually doing good for God? Do you believe that you seek the kingdom first by practicing His righteousness and by keeping His deeds and overcoming? Do you believe that many who have followed Jesus Christ in the past did more righteous deeds than Jesus did while He was here on this earth (John 14:12)? These things are true.
2 Kings 20:3 (NIV) — Hezekiah said, “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (KJV) — “I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.” And Hezekiah wept sore.
Hezekiah was given 15 more years to live because he pleased God by doing what is good in God’s sight (2 Kings 20:6).
2 Chron. 15:2 — And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, “Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.”
The Lord is with you as long as you are serving Him by doing what is right. If you seek Him by doing good continually, so as to reform your wicked ways, He will be found by you; but if you discontinue doing good for God He will forsake you forever.
2 Chron. 7:14 — If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Notice, to seek God’s face you must turn from your wicked ways by doing good. Of course the good done must be deeds meant for repentance, righteous deeds, which is God’s Will (Acts 26:20). Then God Will hear your prayers and forgive your sins (John 9:31).
2 Chron. 6:23 — Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.
God is forgiving their sins because they repented.
Acts 9:36 (KJV) — Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. (NIV) — In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.
Those who are always doing good for God and those who are always personally helping the poor are truly born again (1 John 2:29).
Matt. 6:14-15 — “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matt. 22:37-40 — Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
When you serve God by using your body as an instrument of righteousness, this is considered by God your spiritual service of worship (Rom. 6:13; 12:1). This is pure religion, undefiled (James 1:27). This is how you love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.