In my last post, I asked if you could summarize the entire Bible into a couple of sentences what would you say? It turns out Jesus was asked something like this. Thank goodness. I would love to know what Jesus would have to say. Upon being asked this ridiculously difficult question, He said...

(Mark 12:29-31) Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.³⁰ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ ³¹ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”

He said, "Love God. Love your neighbor." Many theologians believe He is referring to the Ten Commandments. A great way to see the BIG TEN is to divide it up into two sections. The first half speaks of how to fully honor God and the second half is about how to live with your neighbor.

Here's a list according to Exodus and Deuteronomy:

The 10 Commandments List, Short Form*

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.

I know how to love people but to do so with the highest ideal so that I will do so just as I would honor myself... not so sure what that looks like. Let's work through it together.

1- You shall not murder.

There is a difference between kill and murder. Killing is the act of bringing life to an end. This can be an accident, an act of self-defense, a willful act for the sake of protection, or malicious intent. This context is talking about the last of these. God is saying the best way to love someone is to not try to end their life for no reason. Do not commit evil toward another person.  

Do no evil toward others.

2- You shall not commit adultery.

Marriage is a lifelong commitment between a biological man and a biological woman. When you have made this commitment, you are required to stay faithful to this commitment. This commitment can also be extended into any other committed situation. Stay faithful as a promise has been made. If you cannot be faithful, do not make the promise.

Be faithful.

3-  You shall not steal.

Being trustworthy is one of the highest ideals we can strive for. Everyone has different gifts. Most people do not have the same gifts. That is a good thing because we can help one another. However, no cooperation can happen if we do not possess a basic level of integrity. Integrity in your work and integrity in your character are vital to a thriving relationship.

Have integrity.

4- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

As you can probably see, all these are similar to one another. Here is another side of the same coin. Being honest is a cornerstone of a healthy relationship. Without honesty, the relationship cannot be counted on in difficult seasons. Having a trustworthy personality is vital.

Be Honest.

5- You shall not covet.

To covet is not just to want something someone has. It is to want the exact thing that someone else has. For example, there is nothing wrong with seeing someone married and desiring to also be married. That is fine. The problem is to see someone married and decide you want their spouse for yourself. That is coveting. God s saying to not desire to steal something that belongs to someone else.

Honor what others have.

Many of these are similar. The basic is idea is to abide by the Golden Rule laid down by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. It says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.