Friday: Further Thought - Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments

Daily Lesson for Friday 21st of March 2025

Read Ellen G. White, “The Sabbath,” Pages 281–289, in The Desire of Ages.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“The spies dared not answer Christ in the presence of the multitude, for fear of involving themselves in difficulty. They knew that He had spoken the truth. Rather than violate their traditions, they would leave a man to suffer, while they would relieve a brute because of the loss to the owner if it were neglected. Thus greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for man, who is made in the image of God. This illustrates the working of all false religions. They originate in man’s desire to exalt himself above God, but they result in degrading man below the brute. Every religion that wars against the sovereignty of God defrauds man of the glory which was his at the Creation, and which is to be restored to him in Christ. Every false religion teaches its adherents to be careless of human needs, sufferings, and rights. The gospel places a high value upon humanity as the purchase of the blood of Christ, and it teaches a tender regard for the wants and woes of man. The Lord says, ‘I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.’ Isaiah 13:12.

“When Jesus turned upon the Pharisees with the question whether it was lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill, He confronted them with their own wicked purposes. They were hunting His life with bitter hatred, while He was saving life and bringing happiness to multitudes. Was it better to slay upon the Sabbath, as they were planning to do, than to heal the afflicted, as He had done? Was it more righteous to have murder in the heart upon God’s holy day than love to all men, which finds expression in deeds of mercy?”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 286, 287.

Discussion Questions

Why and how is it true that “Every false religion teaches its adherents to be careless of human needs”? How can we act intentionally so as to avoid such carelessness in our church communities and beyond?
Who is my neighbor? Who is your neighbor? In what practical ways should following Christ make us more like the Samaritan who crossed the boundaries of his day to act out love?
If God loves justice and mercy, how should we act in accordance with what matters most to God? How can we be more focused on what Jesus called “the weightier matters of the law”?
When we think and talk about judgment, how often do we emphasize that a primary way Jesus discusses judgment is in terms of whether, and to what extent, we actively love others, particularly the oppressed and downtrodden? Reflect on this in light of Matthew 25:31-46.

<–Thursday

Print/PDF/Email

(10)

We have at times held the notion of the ”Social Gospel” in theological contempt and indeed if you were to listen to many of the discussions in Seventh-day Adventist circles, doctrinal purity and defence of our beliefs seems to occupy more of our time than anything else.
The Social Gospel movement was an early twentieth century movement that promoted the idea that the Kingdom of Heaven is to be achieved on Earth by applying social reform. Seventh-day Adventists took issue with this notion believing that we will only reach the Kingdom of Heaven at the Second Coming.
Rather than amplifying the differences we have with the “Social Gospel” stereotype we probably need to remind ourselves of a couple of things:

As we noted earlier this week, there is a strong relationship between the two greatest commandments; Love God and Love one another. We demonstrate our love for God when we love one another.
The Hebrews at various times throughout their history strayed from obeying these commands. While there is a strong condemnation for idolatry, there is also a strong condemnation of their exploitation of the poor and needy.
In that context we need to remember that are large part of the tithing system was designed to provide inclusion of the poor and needy. It was God’s welfare system.
There is strong condemnation of the Hebrew nations where they became obsessed with religious observance and ignored the plight of the needy. (Isaiah 1 is a good example)
During the New Testament period the role of deacons was created specifically to care for those who were in danger of being overlooked in the new church.
The period of Papal supremacy was characterised by inequality where the Church became rich and powerful by exploiting the people.

Our Christianity is not an island where we keep ourselves pure. Rather it should be like salt, mixed in with food to enhance the flavour. Jesus did not spend a lot of time discussing theology. Rather, his sermons were more about how to interact with others unselfishly. His references to the Kingdom of Heaven are as much about living in the Kingdom here on Earth as about an eternal Kingdom in a heavenly place. He spent much of his time working within his social context, healing the sick, and restoring those who had been abused.

We look forward to a heavenly Kingdom of God but that does not absolve us from seeking justice for those who are unjustly treated, reduction in poverty, easing of racial and ethnic tensions, fighting against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and support for those who find themselves ensnared in alcoholism and drug dependency.
Our theology may be heavenly minded, but it has to work within the context of our social interaction with others.
As we have already noted this week:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 KJV

God came down into the pit with us and interacted with us. He didn’t save us by remote control.

(45)

Reply ↓

Comments

Friday: Further Thought – Love and Justice: The Two Greatest Commandments — 9 Comments

Maurice Ashton on March 20, 2025 at 1:26 pm said:
We have at times held the notion of the ”Social Gospel” in theological contempt and indeed if you were to listen to many of the discussions in Seventh-day Adventist circles, doctrinal purity and defence of our beliefs seems to occupy more of our time than anything else.
The Social Gospel movement was an early twentieth century movement that promoted the idea that the Kingdom of Heaven is to be achieved on Earth by applying social reform. Seventh-day Adventists took issue with this notion believing that we will only reach the Kingdom of Heaven at the Second Coming.
Rather than amplifying the differences we have with the “Social Gospel” stereotype we probably need to remind ourselves of a couple of things:
- As we noted earlier this week, there is a strong relationship between the two greatest commandments; Love God and Love one another. We demonstrate our love for God when we love one another.
- The Hebrews at various times throughout their history strayed from obeying these commands. While there is a strong condemnation for idolatry, there is also a strong condemnation of their exploitation of the poor and needy.
- In that context we need to remember that are large part of the tithing system was designed to provide inclusion of the poor and needy. It was God’s welfare system.
- There is strong condemnation of the Hebrew nations where they became obsessed with religious observance and ignored the plight of the needy. (Isaiah 1 is a good example)
- During the New Testament period the role of deacons was created specifically to care for those who were in danger of being overlooked in the new church.
- The period of Papal supremacy was characterised by inequality where the Church became rich and powerful by exploiting the people.
Our Christianity is not an island where we keep ourselves pure. Rather it should be like salt, mixed in with food to enhance the flavour. Jesus did not spend a lot of time discussing theology. Rather, his sermons were more about how to interact with others unselfishly. His references to the Kingdom of Heaven are as much about living in the Kingdom here on Earth as about an eternal Kingdom in a heavenly place. He spent much of his time working within his social context, healing the sick, and restoring those who had been abused.

We look forward to a heavenly Kingdom of God but that does not absolve us from seeking justice for those who are unjustly treated, reduction in poverty, easing of racial and ethnic tensions, fighting against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, and support for those who find themselves ensnared in alcoholism and drug dependency.
Our theology may be heavenly minded, but it has to work within the context of our social interaction with others.
As we have already noted this week:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:8 KJV

God came down into the pit with us and interacted with us. He didn’t save us by remote control.

(45)
Reply ↓
- Tim Heischberg on March 20, 2025 at 4:29 pm said:
  
  Indeed, Maurice! Depending upon what definition of "social gospel" you may identify with, Jesus ministry on earth was definitely a social gospel presentation and demonstration. He met the people's needs first before bidding them to follow him. This quote from Ellen White succinctly captures both Christ's ministry, as well as our own.
  
  "Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good. He showed sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He invited them, “Follow Me.”
  
  We need to come close to the people by personal effort. If we would give less time to sermonizing and more time to personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit."
  The Ministry of Healing, p.73
  
  This was Christ's "social gospel" ministry and are our marching orders and call to service. Christians as the "salt of the earth," must get out of the proverbial shaker and out into the streets. Jesus didn't set up shop in Jerusalem and tell people to come see him there. No he went to the people, and the word on the streets got out that this preacher/teacher was radically different than the Pharisees and Sadducees. He actually cared for the "underdog," the downcast, and downtrodden. So must we.
  
  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John 13:35 Amplified Bible
  
  (22)
  
  Reply ↓
- Michael [Surname?] on March 21, 2025 at 8:21 pm said:
  
  very powerful summary @maurice.
  
  (0)
  
  Reply ↓
JC Zielak on March 21, 2025 at 4:11 am said:

True religion reconnects men to their fellows. Sectarism and prejudice have no place where God is first. After Jesus, the world is not the same. Evil is desperate, and God is anxious to come and save all who want. True religion speaks to the heart because God's essential is love.

(8)

Reply ↓
Horace Francis on March 21, 2025 at 8:20 am said:

Maurice , I agree with you that often we SDA respond negatively to the social gospel.This I believe has been caused by our leadership in USA who compromised with the dominant cultural values there in early 20th century.Too often our white brethren refused to become involved in the struggle for equality ,see “Apostle to black America”or JK Humphrey and Utopia. The gospel was presented as saving one from sin and leaving that soul in the same position as in its pre- saved state. On the contrary black Adventists have seen the gospel as being liberation from individual sin and also societal structures.(see biography of Lewis C Sheafe of JK Humphrey). In 1978 I confronted an Adventist evangelist who insisted that the gospel had nothing to do with civil rights. I quoted for him EG White’s statement. “ Every false religion teaches.,,,,,, rights.” He seemed surprised. To me the gospel teaches me that as a Christian I should support Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa & Canada, Justice for aboriginals in Australia and South sea islanders in Queensland, Reparations to descendants of slaves in the Caribbean and USA. Deut.23:15,16. I thank God that we as Adventists , are slowly but surely becoming more aware of the social aspects of the gospel .

(5)

Reply ↓
- John Herscher on March 22, 2025 at 5:11 am said:
  
  Horice Francis, without the quote source and page number of your quote I really can't comment on "Every false religion teaches, rights."
  
  Now I did find what maybe you are talking about. Even if we have a few who stray from the love of God and justice, the negativity of bringing it up over and over, acts to lowering our serotonin that flows through our brains and veins, fogging our minds.
  
  Early Writings page 228.1 is good reading down this line. I take it as good advice if the shoe fits. Loving God, Loving, each other, including our own, and our Christian neighbors.
  
  Ellen White helps us understand the problem so we can be better equipped to confront it when we run up against it. Let us show them a new conversion, a conversion of faith alone. We are as filthy rags by nature, let us practice and teach total dependence on God to change not only our hearts, but others. Though God allows us with love to nudge others in the right direction(attachment to the Vine who is attached to the Husbandman of the vineyard), I do believe.
  
  "The enemy has so entangled their minds in the mist and fog of earthliness and it seems so ingrained into their understanding that it has become a part of their faith and character. It is only a new conversion that can change them and cause them to give up these false ideas—for this is just what they are shown to me to be. They cling to them as a drowning man clings to a life preserver, to keep them from sinking and making shipwreck of faith." Faith and Works 19.1
  
  God bless you in your walk with God, my friend.
  
  John
  
  (1)
  
  Reply ↓
Brigitte Humphery on March 21, 2025 at 10:28 am said:

John 1:1-5 has always intrigued me because it offers a profound glimpse into what God’s Love is and how it manifests in our life. This week’s lesson on Love and Justice underscored for me that all that is truly GOOD is encapsulated in the word LOVE.

John 1:1-2:
Love is more than just a verb or a noun describing human emotions — it is and provides the Universes' active ingredient: LOVE - the leven -, the very foundation of God's Creation. In these verses, love is portrayed as the all-permeating force that binds everything together; the essence and identity of both “The Way”, and “The How” God brought all things into being.

John 1:3-4:
These verses show that the Word was not only present at the Beginning, but that the Word is God. The inseparable link between the Word and His Way is evident in the creative and sustaining power that flows through and is expressed by Love. Contained in the ‘Word’, we find the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, all united in the work of Love forming and establishing Creation.

John 1:5 - “And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
No life can exist apart from or without the Light of God - the Spirit of Love. This is His Way by which He calls us out of darkness into His Light. His adversary caused darkness to fall onto His Creation, obscuring our ability to comprehend and experience the creative power inherent in God’s Light in Love; but through Love it is restored.

He called us to walk by faith in our Creator's Light, to experience His Love as we love our fellow man in all we do. Doing so, our eyes are opened and we discover that our life is being preserved. It is by His Love only that we can truly experience Life.

(2)

Reply ↓
John Herscher on March 21, 2025 at 7:48 pm said:

This week we have put love and justice in our hands. We have been studying for a long time the love and justice of God, getting to understand His character, has been a joyful road to follow. By understanding His character better equips us to better love God with every though word and action. Now it is our opportunity to live as He lived. We have the tools in the word of God, and we have the knowledge of His love and justice. Now we go out and exemplify the One who laid down His life to save us.

How can we be more focused on what Jesus called “the weightier matters of the law”? Good question? A good illustration is the bifacial solar panels, they produce more, in our instance by seeing the needs of others from more than one standpoint we reflect more of Gods character. God has promised power sufficient.
Ephesians 3:20.
2 Corinthians 12:9.

(1)

Reply ↓
Rosamund W-Gibbons on March 22, 2025 at 2:19 am said:

Praise God for revelation through this week's Word!
I pray God’s forgiveness where I have not loved Him, The Lord my God, with all my heart, soul, strength and mind.
I plead with God, for growing faithfulness – trust and obedience – in the face of fear, injustice, loss ...and loving surrendered service to my fellow men/women.
I plan with God, so that with the hope of the judgment comes my eternal inheritance, in Him (Psalms 82:8).
By so doing, I/we can live victoriously in Christ, amid Earth's imminent chaos. Praise God for revelation through The Word!

(2)

Reply ↓