The Two Great Commands
The Lord Jesus Christ said that the law and the prophets gave two great
commands: you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and
mind; and you shall love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40)
These commandments reveal the reason God created us: to love him and to love
our fellow human beings, especially those in need; both those in need of
Christ and those in need of physical or material assistance.
Sin is failure to keep these commandments. And since we fail miserably when
it comes to loving God and our neighbours we become separated from God. Only
the Lord Jesus Christ can restore us to God, having paid the penalty for our
sin, since he is God and man.
Understanding this, Charles Wesley wrote- Amazing love! How can it be, that
thou my God shouldst die for me!