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05. God’s commandments
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05. God’s commandments280. What is the function of God’s commandments?
God has given commandments to mankind. In them He proclaims His will for the benefit of mankind.
The commandments bring to expression how human beings should structure their relationship with
God. In addition, the commandments are the foundation for positive relationships between human
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beings.
281. With what attitude should human beings obey the commandments of God?
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Those who recognise God in faith as the Almighty, Omniscient, and Loving One will inquire into His
will, and will endeavour to align their thoughts and actions with the will of God, that is, in accordance
with His commandments.
In the knowledge that God gave the commandments out of love for mankind, the commandments are
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not fulfilled out of fear of punishment, but out of love for God.
282. What is the greatest commandment?
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When asked which was the “greatest commandment in the law”, Jesus responded with two
quotations from the Mosaic Law: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You
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shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the
Prophets” (Matthew 22: 36-40). The commandment to love God and one’s neighbour is also known
as the “dual commandment of love”.
Love for one’s neighbour: see also Question 155.
283. What is the basis of man’s love for God?
Man’s love for God is based on God’s love for mankind. Man seeks to reciprocate this love: “We love
Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4: 19).
,284. What does the commandment to love God demand, and what does this require?
Love for God is to characterise a person’s being and define his conduct.
The commandment to love God applies to the person as a whole and requires his full effort: “And you
shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your
strength” (Mark 12: 30). This signifies undivided devotion to God.
285. What is the commandment to love one’s neighbour?
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“You shall love your neighbour as yourself ” (Mark 12: 31; cf. Leviticus 19: 18).
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286. What does the commandment to love one’s neighbour demand?
The commandment requires human beings to treat all other human beings with love. It sets clear
limits to egoism.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Luke 10: 25-37), Jesus illustrated that loving one’s
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neighbour involves being merciful and acting accordingly.
Just how seriously Jesus meant these words can be inferred from His exhortation to even love one’s
enemies.
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“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to
you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for
those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
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Matthew 5: 43-45
287. Who is this “neighbour”?
On the one hand, the example of the Good Samaritan demonstrates that this neighbour is anyone
who is in need. On the other hand, the neighbour can also be the one who helps. Our neighbour can
be anyone with whom we come into contact.
288. Did Jesus say anything else about the commandment to love one’s neighbour?
, In addition to the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus summarised the following principles on
neighbourly love in the socalled “golden rule”.
The term “golden rule” was coined in Europe in the seventeenth century in reference to the statement
contained in Matthew 7: 12. Today the “golden rule” is a widely held principle in interpersonal
relationships even outside of Christianity.
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289. What does the “golden rule” state?
The “golden rule” is understood as a reference to the words of the Lord in the Sermon on the Mount:
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the
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Prophets” (Matthew 7: 12).
290. How is the love for one’s neighbour to be revealed in the congregation?
That which Jesus taught His Apostles also applies to the congregation: “A new commandment I give
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to you, that you love one another as I have loved you [...] By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13: 34-35). This instruction to His disciples thus
even transcends the “golden rule”.
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The commandment to love one’s neighbour, to support one’s fellow human being and help in
situations of need, should be especially evident in the congregation: “Let us do good to all, especially
to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6: 10). All who belong to the congregation have
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a duty to treat one another with sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
291. What does this “love for one another” produce in the congregation?
“Love for one another” enables us to accept our brother and sister as they are (cf. Romans 15: 7),
and protects against irreconcilability, prejudices, and contempt. It is a power that strengthens the
cohesion in the congregation, awakens empathy and understanding for one another, and promotes
willingness to help one another.
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