Matthew 22:37–40: Why Jesus’ Love Command Is Often Ignored

Matthew 22:37–40 — The Heart of Jesus’ Teaching on Love

When Jesus was asked, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” His reply forever defined the foundation of the Christian life:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:37–40 (NIV)

In just a few sentences, Jesus condensed centuries of religious instruction into one truth: real faith is rooted in love — not rules, rituals, or reputation. Yet even today, this command remains one of the hardest to live out.

The Greatest Commandment Explained

When Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, He wasn’t introducing a new idea — He was revealing the heart behind God’s law from the beginning.
The command to love God “with all your heart, soul, and mind” speaks of a complete devotion — not just emotion or belief, but total surrender.

To love God this way means our affection, will, and thoughts are aligned with Him. It’s not about perfection but direction — our hearts continually turning toward God in every part of life.

And then Jesus adds the second command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Together, these summarize the entire message of Scripture: love for God naturally leads to love for others. Without one, the other becomes hollow.

Why Love Is Central to the Christian Life

Everything in the Christian journey flows from love. Jesus said in John 13:34–35:

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

That means love is not an optional virtue; it’s the defining mark of discipleship.

Religious activity — attending church, reading the Bible, even serving others — means little if it’s not fuelled by genuine love. 💖
We can appear spiritually busy yet remain spiritually empty if love isn’t the motive behind our actions.

Why Jesus’ Love Command Is So Often Ignored

Despite its simplicity, many believers — and entire churches — overlook this command. We talk about love, but we struggle to practice it daily. Why?

The Human Struggle With Self-Centeredness

The greatest obstacle to love isn’t ignorance — it’s ego. Pride and self-interest make it hard to put others first.
Our modern world constantly promotes self-focus: “Follow your heart,” “Put yourself first,” “Do what makes you happy.”

But love, as Jesus defines it, means choosing others over self.
It’s hard because true love demands sacrifice — time, comfort, even pride.

Distractions also play a role. Endless scrolling, stress, and material goals crowd out our capacity to love deeply. It’s easier to post about love than to practice it.

Cultural and Religious Misunderstandings

Many people confuse love with tolerance or niceness, reducing it to avoiding conflict. Yet Jesus’ love was active, truth-filled, and sometimes confrontational — because real love seeks the other person’s good, not just their comfort.

Others fall into legalism, replacing relationship with rule-keeping. When faith becomes about checking boxes, love grows cold. The Pharisees in Jesus’ day knew Scripture but missed its heart — compassion.

Even within churches, selective compassion can creep in — loving those who look or think like us, while quietly judging those who don’t. But Jesus calls us to a love that crosses every line and every label.

Emotional and Psychological Barriers to Love

Sometimes, the greatest barrier to love isn’t pride or misunderstanding — it’s pain.
Many struggle to love because they’ve been hurt, betrayed, or rejected. Unforgiveness hardens the heart, making compassion feel risky.

Fear also plays a part. Loving others makes us vulnerable — and vulnerability can feel unsafe.
Yet Jesus loved even those who mocked and crucified Him. His example shows that love isn’t about being unhurt; it’s about being unchanged by hurt.

Loving the “unlovable” — the difficult coworker, estranged family member, or bitter neighbor — is where divine love shines brightest. 🌤️

Rediscovering the Power of Jesus’ Love Command

The good news is that love can be learned, renewed, and strengthened through daily fellowship with God.

Learning to Love God Fully

To love God with all your heart, soul, and mind means every part of us — our desires, emotions, and thoughts — is directed toward Him.
This kind of love grows through relationship, not performance.

Here are a few ways to deepen it:

• Prayer — honest, heartfelt conversation with God, not just requests.
• Worship — focusing on who God is rather than what we want.
• Reflection — daily moments of quiet to realign our priorities.

When faith becomes relational rather than transactional, love becomes natural.

As GotQuestions.org notes in a thoughtful reflection on the Great Commandment, loving God is “not something we do perfectly, but something we pursue wholeheartedly.” (🔗 Source)

Loving Your Neighbour in a Divided World

In a world divided by politics, race, and ideology, Jesus’ command feels more urgent than ever.

True love bridges gaps — it listens before speaking, forgives before retaliating, and serves without expecting reward.
Small acts — a kind word, a patient response, a helping hand — become divine tools for healing.

Remember: loving your neighbour doesn’t always mean agreeing with them. It means seeing Christ in them, even when it’s hard to see anything else.

Compassion can transform communities. What begins as a single act of love can ripple outward into families, workplaces, and cities. 🌎

The Consequences of Ignoring the Command to Love

When believers neglect love, spiritual decay follows.

Without love:

• Faith turns into empty ritual.
• Churches fracture under pride and gossip.
• Families lose grace and unity.

The result is moral hypocrisy — saying we represent Christ while living contrary to His heart. Jesus warned that people would know us by our love — not by our doctrine, denomination, or devotion hours.

A loveless Christian witness is powerless. When love fades, so does credibility.

Living the Love Command in the Modern Age

How do we live this out today — in an era of screens, speed, and constant noise?

Start small. 🌱 Show empathy online. Pause before judging. Choose kindness when it costs you nothing — or when it costs you everything.

Social media gives us daily chances to either wound or witness. A gentle comment, a word of encouragement, or a refusal to join an argument can speak volumes.

The modern world doesn’t need louder Christians — it needs loving ones. Communities built on compassion and humility will always reflect Christ more brightly than any sermon ever could.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Returning to the Heart of Faith

At its core, Christianity isn’t about systems or achievements — it’s about love.
Jesus didn’t say the world would know His followers by their theology or traditions, but by their love.

To love God and neighbour is to live at the very centre of God’s will. When love reigns, everything else — peace, joy, unity — follows naturally. ❤️