The First and Greatest Commandment

Spirit and Truth Fellowship International

What is the first and greatest commandment in the Bible? Most people say, “Love God,” and it is recorded that way in the Gospels. But in the fuller account in Mark 12:29-30, Jesus was asked that question, and he quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! Therefore, you are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”

In this teaching, John Schoenheit looks at this first commandment in both the Old and New Testaments and explains its primary meaning and some of its secondary meanings. He shows that it means that we do not get to choose who or what will be our God, nor do we have the moral right to be agnostics or atheists. There is only one true God, and that is why we can love Him with “all” our heart, soul, and might. We are not to divide our worship and “share” God’s worship with “lucky” things or superstitions that supposedly help and protect us. God “alone” is to be our God. It will help us in our walk with God to have a clear understanding of His first and greatest commandment.