The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:9

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Matthew 5:43-48

It is so so simple to say “love everyone” but it is so hard to actually do it!

It’s a matter of priority. To practice love, we must put the needs of the one we love above our own. If we can do that, we can fulfill what we have been commanded to do. That’s why it can be said that the commandments can be summed up with one command to love; the ones we love, we treat well.

Ethan Kirl