I was describing an important Biblical concept in a discussion with my cousin this week about loving everyone, and he referred to this as “The 11th Commandment.” I never quite thought of it that way before.
In fact, I had thought of it more like this: I believe there are actually 12 Commandments (the original 10 Commandments and the additional 2 that Jesus taught in the following scripture where they are stated exactly that way (as commandments).
“Then Jesus was approached by some Sadducees — religious leaders who say there is no resurrection from the dead. …” (Mark 12:18) [There was a response from Jesus about that and then]: “One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the debate. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’ Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31)
Now, if you know the first 10 Commandments, you know that we must believe that the Lord our God is our only God! There are no other gods. In addition, we must realize that the “11th and 12th Commandments” are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
When Jesus replied to the Jewish religious leader, he said that the second of these 2 equally important commandments is to love your neighbor as yourself.
Before I continue with the idea of the 11th and 12th Commandments, please allow me to say that if you don’t know the 10 Commandments, please get familiar with them. It’s important to know them and do our best to follow them.
The Bible refers to these additional 2 commandments many times in many verses:
“Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19)
“Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Matthew 22:37-39)
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
“For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These — and other such commandments — are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9)
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (Galatians 5:14)
“Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” (James 2:8)
“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: ‘Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘Right!’ Jesus told him. ‘Do this and you will live!’ ” (Luke 10:25-28)
Now after reading all those scriptures, how would you say you’re doing on loving your neighbor, which can also be referred to as your fellow man. Good, bad, or in between? It isn’t always so easy to love others, to love strangers, most especially those who may want to harm you or kill you. Yet, God tells us to do just that and to forgive them for their ill actions or ill will against us. Why? Because we are all God’s creation and He loves all of us, even those who do wrong.
No one said it was going to be easy, just much better. Not only is it better to live in peace here on earth, but it’s better to know you will be with God in Heaven when you pass on.
Try loving others. Try leading them to God. Try being nice no matter how you’re treated in return.
Love. Remember, God is love.
I pray that each one of us can follow all the commandments. All 10 Commandments and also the so-called “11th and 12th Commandments” because as “God’s Word for Today” indicates below, all of the commandments are summed in this one: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Until we virtually meet again, may God call you to Himself.
God’s Word for Today: “For the commandments say, ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.’ These — and other such commandments — are summed up in this one commandment: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”(Romans 3:9) (Jesus’ words in red.)
Copyright © 2016 by Patricia Shehan
All scripture is quoted from various translations of the Holy Bible (God’s Word) and is set it italics.
