DID YOU KNOW...
...there is a false teaching that both of Jesus' Commandments from Matthew 22:36-40 (and Mark 12:29-31) are of equal value?
“'Master, which is the greatest Commandment in the Law?'
Jesus said to him, '"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 the greatest Commandment.
'And the second is similar. That is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself."'
'On these two Commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.'”
~Matthew 22:36-40 (RGT)
The Greek word for "equal" in Scripture, 'isos' (EE-sos), is different than the word used here, 'homoios’ (HOM-oy-os).
The Bible uses 'isos' when describing things like Jesus' equality with the Father (John 5:18, Philippians 2:6) or believers' equality with the Jews regarding God's inheritance (Acts 11:17), or the equal dimensions of the heavenly city (Revelation 21:16). In contrast, Jesus uses 'homoios' in parables (never 'isos') when giving an example of a thing. The mustard seed is not equal to the Kingdom of God, it is an example of it.
Why is this important? Because it reinforces the primacy of Scripture when it comes to loving God. Jesus said, "If you love Me, obey My commandments." (John 14:15) He didn't say, "If you love Me, obey your heart." Oftentimes, what Jesus commands and what my heart says are not the same thing at all. If I don't know His commandments, I can't obey them. And if I can't obey His commandments, I can't please Him. His commandments are His "love language", if you will.
My love for others is an example of my love for God. Therefore, it should always be biblical.