How Is The Greatest Commandment Kept?

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Hidden In Him

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sorry man, I think ur straining at a nat now!! no offence!

LoL! I think most believers are ignoring the elephant in the room, but I suppose everyone approaches the question from different perspectives and backgrounds.

So what would you say to the post I just wrote for Brakelite? (Post #120). Too extreme, or is it in line with what you think keeping the commandment is about?
 

Hidden In Him

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Sure it is not systematized...what relationship ever is. Prayer, worship, meditation, and service to God. Fasting too. Can see what you are saying but the Pharisees did those things also to be seen of men. And they had their reward. Only God knows the heart.

Absolutely. See, I'm trying to get past the question of being Pharisaical and taking a works-based approach to going straight to discussing if those forms of prayer, worship, meditation and service to God which are done truly from the heart should characterize the life of a believer. I keep getting hung up a lot on trying to communicate the question properly, I guess.
 

Hidden In Him

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That does not describe a "changed" person having Christ in them. Thus, that is not actually one with a contrite heart.

Ok! Very good! So now, it follows then that the person who does make an effort to spend any time in prayer, worship, study and service to God is a person who has been changed by God, and is now seeking to keep the commandment, yes?

See, the question I've been trying to get to with many is this: To what extent then should we give ourselves to these practices if we are to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength? To me the question becomes rather obvious, but it is not something the typical Christian may be fully ready to hear.
 

Hidden In Him

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Hi Hidden In Him, and how are you all? and it seems to me also, one's daily affairs would be of primary importance. But I think personally, we are trying to let God know what is in our hearts to do His commandments or not daily as we walk by faith, So that we can know how to love Him with All.
because of John 2:25
And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

And I also agree to: For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. Berean Literal Bible. For God is the One working in you both to will and to work according to His good pleasure. New American Standard Bible. for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Love always, Walter and Debbie

Absolutely! And both these things you mentioned illustrate why prayer needs to be our primary work. We need His guidance on how to best keep the commandment, and we need Him to work through us to fulfill it! :)

Loved your post, and thanks for responding. Hope you are blessed as well : )
 
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Hidden In Him

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Hi; I guess it's all an outworking of Acts 2.42...

This was a great (though short) post, Farouk! I read right past it and then ended up quoting the same verse myself to Episkopos.

Things get past me, but thank goodness not forever, LoL. :rolleyes:
 

Hidden In Him

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Sure. But how do we show God and the world that we have given up our own lives to be His body? What keeps us together? Doctrines? Scheduling meetings?

The early church saw themselves as strangers in the earth. Pilgrims joined together by a common life and faith. As such they identified family as being with one another. even more so than natural family bonds...after all how many families all remain close together in location after growing up? Christians are to gather in close proximity....house wise so as to meet daily.

I was expecting another response but maybe your more busy lately and just haven't gotten to it yet (or just burned out on the thread, LoL). But if you're still with me, let me show you where I was wanting to get to, once it was established that prayer, worship, meditation and service to God are practices we should expect to see manifest in the lives of those who are trying to keep the greatest commandment from the heart, i.e. out of a sincere love for Him and not simply to perform works: To what extent would we then do so? If the commandment is to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength, it seems to me this implies that these practices would consume our lives entirely at some point in our spiritual growth, yes? and not just when we were gathered together either, I think...

When Peter received his vision from God, he went up on a rooftop to pray around the 6th hour (Acts 10:9). This strongly suggests he did so alone. Likewise, Paul said he thanked God he prayed in tongues more than all the Corinthians, yet when he was in the church he preferred to pray in a language all could understand. This also suggests Paul had an extensive prayer life in his alone-time with God. So let me ask again, since this is the very question I've been trying to get to with others but not always so successfully: To what extent do you think the believer who is trying to keep the greatest commandment should observe the practices of prayer, worship, meditation and service to God in his daily life?
 

VictoryinJesus

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Absolutely. See, I'm trying to get past the question of being Pharisaical and taking a works-based approach to going straight to discussing if those forms of prayer, worship, meditation and service to God which are done truly from the heart should characterize the life of a believer. I keep getting hung up a lot on trying to communicate the question properly, I guess.

understood, but even prayer is to be Ephesians 6:18
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Always should answer your question as how often. Which (imo) doesn’t necessarily mean a time issue but “always” asking and praying in the Spirit. “Whatever you ask for in My name”...

in regards to “fasting” as seen in the Son of God who could have used the word to turn a stone into literal bread to feed his own hunger...but He didn't becoming the very stone turned into the Spiritual bread which is multiplied to feed the poor and hungry in “blessed is he”.

Consider they would not fast ...until He was taken away from them. Then they would fast...fasting from that which is literal(the world) to satisfy a hunger to please the flesh. Him taken from them .as He told Peter: John 13:36-37 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards. [37] Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.

Benny Hinn would be an example of eating of the word to feed his own hunger therefore promoting the gospel of prosperity and instantaneous physical healings rather than spiritual healing or prosperity. Yet he could probably tell you of his fast (from literal food) while using the word of God to feed a worldly lust to have and eat and consume and feed a different kind of hunger which robs from others. (Maybe harsh). Line it though in you will know them by their fruit. 2 Corinthians 6:9-1 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; [10] As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich(toward God); as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

When Christ instructed them that it went out with much fasting and prayer ... could He have meant eating less of the literal to feed yourself before another...one going away hungry and another drunk. (Wadr) don’t think fasting has to do with not feeding your belly literal food(except what it revealed) in not using the Word to fill a worldly lust and hunger...to feed your belly. (Which the devil crawls upon his own belly (cursed) eating up the dust of the earth). Stop eating that bread of “name it and claim it” and “it is yours.” That is not what He did in His fast in the wilderness...but instead fasted from His own hunger and temptation to feed only himself to serve those following after Him.
 
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lforrest

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I was expecting another response but maybe your more busy lately and just haven't gotten to it yet (or just burned out on the thread, LoL). But if you're still with me, let me show you where I was wanting to get to, once it was established that prayer, worship, meditation and service to God are practices we should expect to see manifest in the lives of those who are trying to keep the greatest commandment from the heart, i.e. out of a sincere love for Him and not simply to perform works: To what extent would we then do so? If the commandment is to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength, it seems to me this implies that these practices would consume our lives entirely at some point in our spiritual growth, yes? and not just when we were gathered together either, I think...

When Peter received his vision from God, he went up on a rooftop to pray around the 6th hour (Acts 10:9). This strongly suggests he did so alone. Likewise, Paul said he thanked God he prayed in tongues more than all the Corinthians, yet when he was in the church he preferred to pray in a language all could understand. This also suggests Paul had an extensive prayer life in his alone-time with God. So let me ask again, since this is the very question I've been trying to get to with others but not always so successfully: To what extent do you think the believer who is trying to keep the greatest commandment should observe the practices of prayer, worship, meditation and service to God in his daily life?

Matthew 22:36-40

36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
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.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

All have sinned, so all have broken the first commandment except for Jesus, so shouldn't we look to him for how to keep this commandment?

It seems that the second commandment is also redundant along with the rest of the law, because those who love and serve God must love their neghbor as an extension of that love. Like the old saying goes love me, love my dog.
But it does establish the priority of what is important, love for God over love of Neighbor.
 

Hidden In Him

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understood, but even prayer is to be Ephesians 6:18
[18] Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Always should answer your question as how often. Which (imo) doesn’t necessarily mean a time issue but “always” asking and praying in the Spirit. “Whatever you ask for in My name”...

If you apply "always" (more literally, "without ceasing") to "in the Spirit" instead of to time here, how do you apply it in 1 Thessalonians 5:17?
 
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Hidden In Him

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But it does establish the priority of what is important, love for God over love of Neighbor.

Yes, and this in and of itself is not something that all can receive. Several argued against making that distinction.
All have sinned, so all have broken the first commandment except for Jesus, so shouldn't we look to him for how to keep this commandment?

Several did acknowledge this point, and I agree with it. But now, for me the question still remains: When the believer looks to God for how to keep the greatest commandment, will His answer likely (or even with certainty) include giving himself to incessant prayer, worship, mediation on the word and service to God?
 

VictoryinJesus

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If you apply "always" (more literally, "without ceasing") to "in the Spirit" instead of to time here, how do you apply it in 1 Thessalonians 5:17?

good point. Strongs's #89: adialeiptos - Greek/Hebrew Definitions - Bible Tools

1 Samuel 12:22-23
For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. [23] Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

has to be in the Spirit as it seems (imo) impossible otherwise. “Without ceasing”...
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
 

Nancy

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Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole soul and your whole strength. Seems to me that defining what that means in practical terms, and how the commandment is kept in one's daily affairs would be of primary importance.

This is primarily a theoretical question, so I am asking for responses about what you consider proper obedience to this commandment to look like, but if you wish to answer on a more personal level and describe how you best fulfill this commandment on a daily basis in your own personal life, that's good too.

Blessings in Christ to all who respond.
HiH

Obedience... :)
 

Nancy

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Once, I thought it impossible to "pray without ceasing" No longer. He has answered my prayer to pray fervently and effectively and un-ceasing...and it is something that happens everyday, all day. Just driving in my neighborhood...seeing many that I know from an awesome community center that God has blessed me with. So many lost, homeless and addicted (drugs, alcohol)...I see them on the streets everyday and pray fervently for them. I have seen changes in a few but...there are many more. When we know we are praying His will, just thank Him that He is working in that persons life...whether or not we SEE it right now. He has grown my faith exponentially over just the last 4-5 years and it has blown my mind! He is so very faithful and my only desire is for His will and not mine to be done, and to bless others when and where I can...it brings me such joy! His will that we should obey Him is always for our own good ❤
 

ScottA

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Ok! Very good! So now, it follows then that the person who does make an effort to spend any time in prayer, worship, study and service to God is a person who has been changed by God, and is now seeking to keep the commandment, yes?

See, the question I've been trying to get to with many is this: To what extent then should we give ourselves to these practices if we are to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength? To me the question becomes rather obvious, but it is not something the typical Christian may be fully ready to hear.
Well...as I said, not necessarily, because such works can also be counterfeit rather than genuine.

But if there is another question you have been leading up to, let's address it:
To what extent then should we give ourselves to these practices if we are to love Him with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength? To me the question becomes rather obvious, but it is not something the typical Christian may be fully ready to hear.
The answer (as you have in bold) is "whole" or completely. As I said before, that would be "without reservation." So...it seems like we are going in circles. Perhaps you could elaborate just what you mean by "it is not something the typical Christian may be fully ready to hear."
 

Heavenbound

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Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord your God with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole soul and your whole strength. Seems to me that defining what that means in practical terms, and how the commandment is kept in one's daily affairs would be of primary importance.

This is primarily a theoretical question, so I am asking for responses about what you consider proper obedience to this commandment to look like, but if you wish to answer on a more personal level and describe how you best fulfill this commandment on a daily basis in your own personal life, that's good too.

Blessings in Christ to all who respond.
HiH
Good question

I try to live what God wants and not man (those around me) to love God with my feet so to speak

I look for ways to show love to the folks God puts in my path

love calls for a range of actions depending on circumstances
 
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ScottA

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Once, I thought it impossible to "pray without ceasing" No longer. He has answered my prayer to pray fervently and effectively and un-ceasing...and it is something that happens everyday, all day. Just driving in my neighborhood...seeing many that I know from an awesome community center that God has blessed me with. So many lost, homeless and addicted (drugs, alcohol)...I see them on the streets everyday and pray fervently for them. I have seen changes in a few but...there are many more. When we know we are praying His will, just thank Him that He is working in that persons life...whether or not we SEE it right now. He has grown my faith exponentially over just the last 4-5 years and it has blown my mind! He is so very faithful and my only desire is for His will and not mine to be done, and to bless others when and where I can...it brings me such joy! His will that we should obey Him is always for our own good ❤
You bring up a good point about "praying without ceasing."

I remember at first finding myself thinking and saying "we" instead of "I" when talking about this and that; and I was concerned at first, like it might appear to be something akin to schizophrenia, and had to stop myself and say, "No...that's the way it's supposed to be! If we have Christ in us, we are not in this alone, even if it would be more proper to say 'I am'--neither is incorrect."
 
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Nancy

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You bring up a good point about "praying without ceasing."

I remember at first finding myself thinking and saying "we" instead of "I" when talking about this and that; and I was concerned at first, like it might appear to be something akin to schizophrenia, and had to stop myself and say, "No...that's the way it's supposed to be! If we have Christ in us, we are not in this alone, even if it would be more proper to say 'I am'--neither is incorrect."

Oh yes Scott, I also moved away from the I's Me's and My's and try to be conscious of being a part of the Body! Yes...it is "we". We are def not alone in all of this...that's why we should be more considerate of those who's beliefs differ from ours...It's hard to not pull away from some of the controversial posts on here but, it is becoming easier and easier because, I too found myself doing the same thing other's were doing, and replying in kind...not a very Christian attitude!
Peace!
 

Hidden In Him

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Once, I thought it impossible to "pray without ceasing" No longer. He has answered my prayer to pray fervently and effectively and un-ceasing...and it is something that happens everyday, all day. Just driving in my neighborhood...seeing many that I know from an awesome community center that God has blessed me with. So many lost, homeless and addicted (drugs, alcohol)...I see them on the streets everyday and pray fervently for them. I have seen changes in a few but...there are many more. When we know we are praying His will, just thank Him that He is working in that persons life...whether or not we SEE it right now. He has grown my faith exponentially over just the last 4-5 years and it has blown my mind! He is so very faithful and my only desire is for His will and not mine to be done, and to bless others when and where I can...it brings me such joy! His will that we should obey Him is always for our own good ❤

Brought a smile to my face reading it : )
Just be careful not to overextend yourself and put yourself in danger when helping the addicted. I've heard a few horror stories of people who weren't guided by wisdom. But wonderful to read. Sounds like He has given you a ministry of sorts in praying for the needy. :)
 
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Hidden In Him

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Well...as I said, not necessarily, because such works can also be counterfeit rather than genuine.

The question is what the real dedication would look like, so it was a given from the start that it would not include counterfeit works, LoL.
The answer (as you have in bold) is "whole" or completely. As I said before, that would be "without reservation."

We may just be getting lost in terms. For me personally, I've never had any reservations about serving God. I am sold out to Him, and have been for decades. It is continual obedience to a fully sacrificed life that I've always struggled with.

Think of it this way: Whereas holding onto the world would be like reserving a drink in a cup (not wanting to throw it out and make room for something else), so too are some Christians still holding on to worldly things and worldly practices. For me, the worldly doesn't really hold much value, and I would gladly give up the worldly entertainments that I still engage in (watching sports, for instance). But seeing as how I designed my life, and this includes my work life, so that I can give 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to spending time with God, this has created a sort of vacuum in my life; a void that He has not yet filled completely and totally with Himself.

I can empty the cup easily. I just can't fill it completely and totally with what I want yet.