When Jesus was questioned about what the greatest commandment is in Matthew 22:34-40, He answered so much at the same time. Matthew writes, “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’” (Matthew 22:37-39, NIV).
There are some who point to John 3:16 and say we need to believe in Jesus. To claim belief in Jesus, one first needs to research the Greek word “πιστεύω” for the “belief” used in John 3:16. The Greek Strong’s Number is 4100, which translates into a combination of English words: Belief, Believe, Believers, Commit, Commission, Entrust, and Trust. Since this is a combination and not a choice of these words, this matches what Jesus said in the greatest commandment.
Once someone believes in Jesus and loves the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, you will be building a relationship with the Holy Trinity. This relationship starts with communication, as with any relationship. Communication with God includes reading His love letters to you, also known as the Bible. To understand the Bible and God’s instructions for you can only be done through prayer. Once someone is doing the above, they start to read Scripture, which gives them the details on how to accomplish such things; they find the words to be in a church body, or communion of saints. This allows them to support others and to be supported by others.
John writes about the Vine and branches in John 15:1-17: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). When a Christian is constantly checking in with God to determine what the instructions are and how to be obedient, they are building a relationship with God. When the Holy Spirit nudges them to care for the weak in the community, they have accomplished the goals of the Sheep and the Goats in Matthew 25:31-46. When the Holy Spirit tells them how to spread the word of the Gospel, they are following the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20.
When the author served in the United States Marine Corps, they were asked to be willing to lay their life down for their country. Matthew wrote, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:25, NIV). As Marines, we did not always have to die for the country, but we were willing. The same with Jesus. The Apostle John was not martyred, but was willing if it was requested of him. When a military person dies in battle, they earn a Purple Heart. When a believer dies in battle against the evil one, they inherit eternity with Jesus.
The final answer. Many say I cannot do all that, because I am weak and a sinner. Jesus knows and is rather asking us to be obedient rather than perfect. In so doing, before, during, and after entering battle against the evil one, pray to the Holy Spirit for strength. You will fall, as all the apostles have done, and Jesus asks us to humbly confess our mistakes.
Please feel free to ask questions.
May God share His love with you,
Chaplain John