10:27Luke 10:27

Wholehearted supreme love for God with every faculty of heart, soul, strength and mind, joined to unselfish active love for neighbor as for self, is the plain requirement of the verse.3T 523.2–3+4 These two great principles sum the whole duty of humanity and all the law and the prophets, with love for God covering the first four commandments toward God and love for neighbor covering the last six toward fellow beings.3T 523.2–3+4 They state the plain and definite conditions of inheriting eternal life, affirmed as right with the promise that practicing and living them out brings life, while mere knowing, believing, professing or feeling without doing leaves the soul barren.3T 523.2–3+4 A neighbor is anyone needy, suffering or brought to notice without limit of kin, race, class or creed, and the required work is shown by the despised Samaritan who pitied, bound wounds, carried, housed and paid for the man left half dead when priest and Levite passed by.3T 523.2–3+4 No fallen person can meet this standard in human strength alone, but obedience becomes possible through the grace and virtue of Christ received by faith and the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, by which character is tested and weighed in judgment.Lt 122, 1896, par. 9–12+4

The lawyer himself spoke the requirement after Jesus turned his own question about what to do to inherit eternal life back upon him by asking what is written in the law and how he read it.Lt 179, 1902, par. 17–19+4 He knew these words from Scripture and gave them as the law's answer to that very inheritance Christ had been presenting, which is the same instruction once given to Israel through Moses in the commandments from Sinai and rehearsed by Moses, requiring full love to God and walking in all His ways and keeping His commandments as the way to live.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 11–14+3 Jesus affirmed the answer as right and correct with the promise that doing, living it out, loving God with all heart and soul and strength and mind and loving neighbor as self, gives life.Lt 179, 1902, par. 17–19+2 That love to God must be total, taking all there is of man including intellect, reason, education and ability, not with one-quarter or one-half or two-thirds or nine-tenths of the heart but with all the heart, with all the mind, with all the soul, with all the strength.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 11–14 Doing it means giving Christ an undivided heart, which alone He accepts, living a transformed character that witnesses to the change, having an indwelling Saviour working mind and heart to reveal love for Christ that does His will instead of self, and having faith that works by love and purifies the soul, and by this standard God still tests every person to see what is in them and what they will do, putting needy objects before them, so that seeking self and personal convenience and letting a nearby needy school or institution go on without faithful help and rebuke breaks this love.Ms 152, 1904, par. 9–10+1

The exchange took place surrounded by a great multitude while hostile watchers stood by hoping to catch something from Christ's lips to condemn Him, including Pharisees, rabbis, priests and rulers of the synagogue, scribes and Pharisees, Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees, priests, rulers and other lawyers.Lt 98, 1896, par. 8–10+4 Christ, who reads every heart, understood their purpose and read their hearts and purposes, and after Pharisees, Herodians and Sadducees had been silenced they put the lawyer forward, sent by the priests, to tempt Christ.Lt 98, 1896, par. 8–10+3 By turning the labor of answering back upon the lawyer himself and then declaring the answer right, He defeated His adversaries and defeated their purpose.Ms 43a, 1894, par. 11–14+2 The love-to-neighbor part then raised the question who is neighbor, which Jesus answered with the account of the man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho who was stripped, wounded and left half dead, passed by on the other side by a priest and a Levite, but pitied, doctored, carried and cared for by a Samaritan.ST Jul 7, 1890+3

The questioner knew the Word and gave a convicted answer, recognizing the law's righteousness and his own condemnation, but he knew he had kept neither part, especially neighbor love, with failure shown in not devoting abilities and opportunities to God and to helping neighbor.Ms 117, 1903, par. 5–7+3 Instead of confessing and repenting with humility, contrition, repentance and conversion, he tried to justify and excuse himself.Ms 16, 1901, par. 48–51+1 His follow-up question about who counts as neighbor can be used to evade duty and evade the truth when it is brought home personally, to make the command appear difficult.Lt 88, 1900, par. 12+2 Keeping the law means keeping God's commandments in deed and in truth, shown in attitude and action toward fellow men in acts of tender kindness to people in need, without indifference or working to hurt, destroy and tear down, without exalting self while disparaging others, since transgressing this love is sin and withholding that service robs God.Ms 117, 1903, par. 5–7+3

The portion Luke 10:25-37 was set forth before a large audience of about three hundred people composed largely of those not of the faith.Ms 184, 1898, par. 12 The command to love with heart, soul, strength and mind and to love neighbor as self is a fitting subject for worship and instruction among a small gathering as well as a large audience.ST Mar 16, 1882 God is ready to bless even a few who assemble to worship Him.ST Mar 16, 1882

The verse lays down the terms, conditions and living principles of inheriting eternal life, of salvation, of kingdom membership and of God's covenant: supreme wholehearted love for God and unselfish love for neighbor as self.3T 523.2–3+4 Complete love to God with heart, soul, strength and mind is the first great claim, and love to neighbor as self is the second great commandment, and doing what is written gives life.3T 523.2–3+4 The lawyer answered his own question about what to do to inherit eternal life with what is written in the law when asked what is written and how he read it, summing the law as total love to God and love to neighbor as self.ST Jul 7, 1890+2 Neighbor means anyone needy, unfortunate, suffering and brought to notice, with no exception for those who are not kin, as shown by the traveler going down from Jerusalem to Jericho who was stripped, wounded and left half dead, passed by by a priest and a Levite, but pitied, doctored with binding of wounds, carried, sheltered, paid for and cared for by a Samaritan.3T 523.2–3+1 Neglect of such cases violates the command and removes assurance of eternal life, and setting the affections on worldly things and failing to love in this way means the conditions are not fulfilled, so salvation requires repentance and turning to God with the whole soul, including earnestly sharing the truth with the neighbor.3T 523.2–3+2 The first half sums the first four commandments of the Decalogue and the second half depends on and sums the last six, so that failure to open the heart to human want proves the heart is not open to God, idols hold the affections, and to offend in this one point is to be guilty of all.3T 523.2–3

Christ declared the answer right and correct, with the promise that doing, keeping, obeying, practicing and living it out brings life.Ms 130, 1906, par. 11–12+4 The command is presented as the way of life in the words "this do," not merely believe, so eternal life is conditional on obedience to God's commandments.Ms 59, 1899, par. 9+2 Duty to God comes first in worship, love and service with the whole being, engaging heart, soul, strength and mind, and this wholehearted devotion and complete service, as the essential concern of life, prepares a person to love and value neighbors as self and those for whom sacrifice was made.Ms 17, 1906, par. 41–42+2 Knowing the answer is not enough, for only doers of the Word keep it and build character upon solid rock, taking the eyes off self to behold the perfect Pattern, striving for the same perfection, examining self, cutting away everything unlike it, feeding on Christ, and working for perishing souls without faultfinding, selfish gratification or selfish motives.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60 Such love leaves no room for making conduct chiefly seek people's approval, becoming angry over lack of respect, or reproaching fellow believers for supposed neglect, and these grievances are to be passed by rather than stirred up.Ms 141, 1902, par. 16–17

Mere knowing, assenting, believing, professing, feeling, preaching, teaching, ceremonial correctness, family prayers or happy feelings do not meet the requirement, and without doing, surrender and loving action the soul remains barren and profession is leaves without fruit.Ms 166, 1901, par. 4–5+4 The commands are to be practiced, not merely understood, with their vital principle as active love carried into daily conduct by every member and freed from selfishness, calling for action and not merely knowledge or an interpretation chosen to suit oneself.Ms 166, 1901, par. 4–5+1 No one can truly fulfill the requirements without having the law written on the heart and making righteousness a part of life, as the hearty response of a heart brought into conformity to the will of God, cleansed from all defilement and filled to overflowing with love instead of drinking in iniquity, rather than keeping truth in the outer court with mere profession and superficial love exercising little controlling power over reason.Ms 6a, 1902, par. 12–13 Keeping the command requires careful, prayerful preparation for true service, producing decided reformation in young and old, enlisting the whole being and setting affections on things above, for true godliness is measured by the work done, not by profession or position.Ms 6a, 1902, par. 12–13+1 A character acting as Christ would were He in that place is the evidence that God has sent His Son, while those professing to be Christians yet failing so to act greatly injure the cause, misrepresent their Saviour and stand under false colors.Lt 7, 1901, par. 4–5 Loving one's neighbor means showing practical mercy and care to a person in need even across social, religious and prejudicial divisions, extending to friends, neighbors, strangers and anyone in need, and the required response is to go and do likewise, for those who neglect such care do not keep the commandments whatever their professions of reverence.Ms 190, 1903, par. 13–19+1

The conditions are plain, simple, short, decided and definite, giving clear light and assurance so that none need walk in darkness or crooked paths, and understanding these far-reaching principles is of present and eternal interest.Ms 102, 1902, par. 12–14+1 They rest not on emotions but on taking the distinct course laid out, requiring intelligent personal knowledge of God's requirements and human obligations, not only in a general way, with no risk about eternal interests that last through eternity.6MR 196.5–197.2+1 Knowing the requirements entails knowing one's obligations, and conduct shows whether a person honors them, for the instruction "This do" connects fulfilling these conditions with living.12MR 53.4–54.1 Done in daily life, loving God fully and loving neighbor as self secures the life that measures with the life of God and lasts as long as God's life, and obedience to the sure word is humanity's hope of receiving it.Ms 102, 1902, par. 12–14+2

Keeping them by obedience brings the eternal reward, a home on the earth made new, a life measuring with the life of God and lasting as long as God's life, with blessing, peace and present good, while neglecting duty breaks the commandments and leads to guilt, loss of life and loss of eternal life.6MR 196.5–197.2+4 Loving God supremely means entire self-surrender and entire devotion to service, and joined with loving neighbor as self it is complete obedience comprising the whole man and the whole duty of man, with no evasion and no twisting of the terms.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5 Those who carry out these two great principles do not reveal the attributes of Satan, and God will judge them worthy to inherit eternal life, to win heaven and gain a life that measures with the life of God.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5 Receiving these principles into the heart and living by them is the foundation of Christian life and true conversion, the first work in turning to God, leading to seeing God's salvation, to His power resting on His work, to being shaped into Christ's likeness and toward entrance into the holy city.Ms 16, 1903, par. 11–12+3 Keeping them means keeping God's commandments and being doers of the Word, consulting the Guidebook at every step according to light and opportunities given, while breaking them means selfishness, forgetting God and Christ, following own inclinations and appetites instead of God's law, walking far apart from those who should be helped, cherishing self and seeking praise and recognition.Lt 95, 1896, par. 17–19 God's people are far from doing this Word and He has a controversy with them over it, and unless this selfish course is changed by diligently studying and faithfully practicing the Word, there will be no endurance in the perils of the last day.Lt 95, 1896, par. 17–19

The verse gathers the whole duty of humanity into two great principles on which hang all the law and the prophets: supreme wholehearted love for God and unselfish love for neighbor as self.3T 523.2–3+4 It states the living principles of salvation in simplest form, giving the true foundation and pattern for character-building in every generation and land, made manifest in the life of Jesus as the only secure foundation and sure guide.3T 523.2–3+3 Knowing, assenting, teaching, or preaching truth does not meet it without doing, and suspicion and imagining evil also break it, so the command must be obeyed and disobedience brings consequence and loss of assurance of eternal life.3T 523.2–3+2 Love for God must engage the whole person and love for neighbor must be practical, impartial mercy and kindness to anyone needy brought to notice, even when inconvenient or costly.3T 523.2–3+2

Love for God sums the first four commandments defining duty to the Creator, and love for neighbor sums the last six defining duty to fellow beings, so that keeping the commandments means loving in this twofold way.3T 523.2–3+4 The first four stand first because when God is loved supremely the mind of Christ is given, and such love cannot be separated from refusing selfishness, oppression, misrepresentation, and wronging anyone for gain in dealings with believers and unbelievers.2T 42.2–43.1+3 Doing this is the path to life, giving life that runs parallel with the life of Jehovah, yet no one can obey in human strength alone but only through the virtue and grace of Christ received by belief in the propitiation for sin, which shapes character after God's likeness into Christlike charity.Ms 87, 1894, par. 3–5+3 Wholehearted love like Christ's love therefore builds up fellow believers rather than discouraging them, regarding the neighbor as bought by Christ's blood and going out beyond walls to relieve suffering.Ms 192, 1907, par. 9+2

The law in view is the Ten Commandments entrusted to Israel at Sinai, given by Christ Himself, whose principles were being nearly forgotten as people were led to act against them.Ms 126, 1905, par. 8–12+2 It remains holy and unchangeable under both old and new covenants, not created at its giving and not abolished when typical sacrifices ceased, with forgiveness never coming by disregarding its claims.Ms 109, 1906, par. 2–4+2 It requires complete obedience expressed in thought, word, and deed, with all meaning all of heart, soul, mind, and strength and no room for serving Christ and mammon at once or for voiding the commandments by forms, traditions, and customs of men.Ms 10, 1894, par. 11–13+1 The lawyer's answer was affirmed as right for all time, deciding whether one strives for immortal glory or has only a form of godliness, and deciding the case of everyone in the last great day because human destiny is fixed by the law of Jehovah rather than human policy and inventions.Ms 126, 1905, par. 8–12+2

The law is a divine unity in which the same principle of love runs through all precepts, so keeping one while breaking another is not obedience to the whole and no precept may be treated as unimportant.DA 497.4–498.1+3 Ceremonial and ritual rules and human traditions cannot be substituted for these two principles, and supreme love for God must be lived out in impartial love and compassion toward others with whole service rather than mere acknowledgment of truth or ceremonial worship.DA 497.4–498.1+2 Obedience to the whole law in this love determines human destiny, with blessing to the obedient.DA 497.4–498.1+2

Supreme love includes every other requirement, so those who keep the first principle will not violate the second, and giving God His rightful place leads to right regard for neighbor while only supreme love enables impartial love for others.ST Jul 2, 1894+2 Neither love can be obeyed while the other is broken, for both express one principle and the commandments form a single divine whole shown by obedience to all.DA 497.4–498.1+2 If the first is not kept the second will easily be disobeyed, since a heart closed to human want proves closed to God, giving affections to idols such as worldly things, name, position, wealth, or any object that thrusts God from the mind.3T 523.2–3+2 To transgress neighbor love is therefore to offend in one point and be guilty of all, while tender pitying love for all Christ died for consecrates the person as missionary fellow worker with God in zeal that is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, impartial, and sincere.3T 523.2–3+3 Those tested in loving others as themselves will be pronounced fit for inheritance with the saints in light, rich with undeserved reward without exalting self as Lucifer did nor rebelling over another's brighter crown.Lt 31, 1894, par. 39+1

Loving God with all the heart and soul and strength and mind, and loving the neighbor as the self, engages the entire person and being with nothing withheld, and this whole-person love flowing outward in selfless concern marks genuine Christians, purifies the heart, and leads to giving up worldly treasures and honors to help others serve Christ.2T 169.2–4+2 Doing this is the way to life, calling for active use of mental and physical powers in faithful duties rather than idle contemplation, and strict demands for holy living are not an added burden beyond Scripture but the standard Scripture itself gives.FE 419.2–3+1 Sanctification keeps every human faculty healthy and fully used in faithful service, yet no one can fulfill this command by human strength alone and divine aid is needed.8T 64.4–5 Knowing the answer is not enough, for only doers build character upon solid rock, which means taking eyes off self to behold the perfect Pattern, striving for the same perfection of character, examining self, cutting away everything unlike Him, feeding on Christ, and working for perishing souls without faultfinding, selfish gratification, or selfish motives.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60

All means all, not one-quarter or one-half or two-thirds or nine-tenths kept for self, but every faculty and affection and power of body and mind and soul consecrated to divine glory and service.Lt 4, 1903, par. 1+2 This includes will and speech and hearing and sight and time and influence and talents and possessions and intellect and reason and education and ability, with every part of the being belonging to God and bodily strength as His property to be used in His service.ST Oct 18, 1899+2 The listing of heart and soul and strength and mind is a definite specification to be carefully studied for all it includes, showing love as the basis of creation and redemption and true education, the highest development of every power, and the restoration of the divine image in body and mind and soul.ST Oct 18, 1899+1 A converted person once counting labor beneath him changes habits and puts physical power to useful purpose, for indolence violates this love, an idle man cannot serve God, and there is earnest practical work for all with no place for idle gentlemen, as shown by labor at the carpenter's trade.ST Oct 18, 1899 These terms of salvation bind every person and allow no divided or half-hearted response, requiring the whole person converted in the new birth, dealing fairly with fellow believers without harming them spiritually or financially, recognizing needs, helping physically, working for salvation, giving up unnecessary comforts, and using what remains to support the needy, so the command must be obeyed in practice and not merely read or professed.Lt 22, 1901, par. 16–19+1

God requires undivided affections and complete surrender and entire continuous obedience, with no divided heart and no rival gods and no half-hearted or half-and-half service and no serving two masters at once, while religion shapes every part of life and work and thought.10MR 148.1–2+2 This is heaven's first law and first great commandment requiring God's best and holiest service, leaving no reservation but using talents for His glory and accepting the self-denial obedience requires, with the promise that doing this brings life.10MR 148.1–2+2 It forbids half-way work and serving God and mammon together, calling for hearing the divine voice and obeying fully, which makes heroic ministers of righteousness even without preaching, loyal to divine claims and jealous for Christ's honor, ministering with willing mind and earnest spirit and hearty unselfish zeal, not seeking personal dignity but winning hearts by care and thoughtfulness, standing firm as a rock against inducements to sin and refusing to be moved from duty like Daniel.Ms 7, 1885, par. 7 Wholehearted love is the way of salvation and leaves no room for giving the world the highest loyalty or service, and business that occupies mind and attention and separates the soul from God breaks that whole love.Ms 105, 1894, par. 11+1 Moral worth and not money or worldly honor is weighed, so this love decides a clear title to the heavenly inheritance and to eternal life, to lose heaven is to lose everything, and to sin is too expensive.Ms 2, 1893, par. 1–2

The whole person including thoughts must come under divine control and be brought into obedience to the divine will, because people cannot govern themselves faithfully and God alone can make and keep them loyal.Ms 160, 1904, par. 33–34+2 Thoughts and attention are to be devoted to God rather than given to material promoting sophistry and spiritualistic error, the mind is to remain open to this law with attention kept on what is essential, and religion must shape every part of life and every kind of work.Ms 126, 1905, par. 7+2 Nothing less than undivided affection and service is acceptable, with His will done regardless of personal pleasure or gain, and turning away to sin and refusing instruction is disobedience.10MR 148.1–2+1 This love must be practiced daily through obedience to the two supreme commands embodying the whole law and through doing duty to every person as one would wish others to do in the same circumstances, shown by action as evidence of the obedience required of those seeking eternal life and entrance to the holy city.Ms 116, 1905, par. 10–12 God claims the whole heart and soul and affections of every person whether professing Christianity or not, and ignoring His claims and refusing offered mercy is sin and not an excuse from guilt, calling for affection and devotion and cheerful obedience now as the opportunity for full surrender.STSE 34.1–2

Anything enthroned in the heart that divides affections and takes first place and first thoughts and first action violates supreme love and takes the form of an idol.3T 523.2–3+2 Such idols divert mind and strength and affections from divine service and leave very little of true worship, including worldly things set upon with affection, self and selfishness worshiped through selfish pleasure and ruling inclination, and strength and time given to unimportant diverting matters.ST Oct 28, 1889+2 Money as master, diverting matters, ruling inclination, selfish pleasure, and even overflowing affection for husband or wife must be guarded lest it grow into selfishness and blind idolatry, divert affections, and place spouse where God should be, for divine claims take no second place.Lt 19, 1894, par. 5–8+1 Complete love with heart and soul and strength and mind is the first great claim stated in simplest form, and doing it gives life, while failure to open the heart to human want proves the heart not open to God, idols holding the affections, and to offend in this one point is to be guilty of all.3T 523.2–3 Unreserved surrender and entire consecration allow no separation of affections, laying the entire being with the whole wealth of affection and talents and possessions at His feet, turning from the glitter of the world to heavenly attractions, appreciating the atonement, and offering pleasure-lovers and theatre-goers and drunkards and gamblers and other sinners something better, even a peace passing understanding, since worldly pleasure and riches will not satisfy the soul.Ms 12, 1868, par. 7–9+1

This law of love is to be engraved on the tablets of the heart, though the world counts such wholehearted love to God and neighbor as going to extremes, yet God requires it.Lt 107, 1902, par. 9 Loving God with the whole person and neighbor as self is the mainspring of the highest eloquence, and obeying it is true godliness in which through the Spirit's work the soul is purified of selfishness and sensuality and sin and chooses what is lovely and of good report.Ms 124, 1897, par. 31–34 Full submission produces true humility gracing every action together with a becoming heavenly dignity from alliance with God and His angels.Ms 7, 1868, par. 17–19+1 The love commanded requires energetic and earnest and untiring zeal in service and forbids listlessness and indifference, especially in ministers who teach the way to life, requiring carrying the burden of the work, speaking profitable conversation, training the soul to labor earnestly, feeling truth thrilling one's own being in order to affect hearts, and pulling souls out of the fire.Ms 7, 1868, par. 17–19 Those who follow Christ aim continually at divine glory rather than their own pleasure, giving supreme love and worship under the two grand precepts regulating conduct.ST Nov 12, 1896

Knowing divine goodness and character and will is essential to loving Him, for His law expresses His character, and this wholehearted obedience involving mind and heart and soul and strength with complete surrender is the substance of obedience and true sanctification, on which the life Christ gives is conditional, so profession alone does not save.ST Aug 2, 1899 Surrender directs intellect and affections toward what is divine and eternal, elevating and refining every power of mind and being for holy purposes.2T 503.1 This wholehearted devotion produces true humility and a fitting dignity.2T 503.1

Loving with all strength covers the use of the physical powers, for every part of the being belongs to God and is to be employed to His glory, and bodily strength is Christ's property to be used in Christ's service.ST Oct 18, 1899+2 The listing of heart and soul and strength and mind is a definite specification to be carefully studied for all it includes, calling for active, energetic, intelligent use of mental and physical powers in faithful duties at all times rather than inaction, idleness, or mere idle contemplation.ST Oct 18, 1899+2 Sanctification under this command keeps every human faculty healthy and fully used in faithful service, with natural habits and appetites brought under divine authority and not left to self-guidance or natural impulse, and it cannot be fulfilled by human strength alone but needs divine aid, with God supplying power while the person actively responds and strives.8T 64.4–5+3 A converted person who once counted labor beneath him changes habits and puts physical power to useful purpose, for indolence violates this love, an idle man cannot serve God and gives others an example contrary to Christ, and as shown by labor at the carpenter's trade there is earnest practical work for all with no place for idle gentlemen in God's vineyard.ST Oct 18, 1899

The command claims the body as well as the mind, making health part of obedience, since God can be served far more fully in the vigor of health than when palsied by disease.RH Nov 12, 1901+1 It is therefore sacred duty to understand the laws God established in the human being and to govern habits by them, keeping the body and all its organs healthy and used in God's service, bringing the body into subjection to the noble powers of the mind, and regarding the body as a wonderful structure formed by the Infinite Designer in the image of the Divine.RH Nov 12, 1901+2 This keeping of mind, soul, and body in the most healthful condition preserves the human machinery as perfect as possible, like a harp of a thousand strings kept in harmonious action, in order to comprehend what is the breadth and length and depth and height and to know the love of Christ, which is the secret of true happiness, and to keep clear discernment of spiritual things and the distinction between the sacred and the common.Lt 41, 1898, par. 27–28+1 Such love means being true to convictions of duty without self-deception, doing all required to perfect holiness, bringing appetite into subjection and controlling self in every respect as if salvation were at stake, acting up to light on health and refusing to gratify appetite contrary to God's will even when others of high profession do so, and cooperating with God rather than working against the laws of life.RH Nov 12, 1901+1 As plants and the body are subject to laws where every tree bears its appointed fruit and disobedience brings sickness, suffering and death, so the soul is subject to laws and spiritual life results from acting in obedience to the Word and in harmony with God's laws with the soul regulated by wholehearted love, while wresting Scripture and following error brings sickness and death to the soul and loss of genuine peace, and putting all strength into God's service gives a right hold upon heaven and makes a person a blessing by representing Christ's love to perishing sinners.Lt 87, 1905, par. 11–13+1

Loving with all the mind includes obligation to develop the intellect to its fullest capacity so as to know and love the Creator.MYP 173.1–2+1 When cultivated intellect is controlled by God's Spirit and surrender directs intellect and affections toward what is divine and eternal, it elevates and refines every power of mind and being for holy purposes and can be used more effectively in service, and in exact proportion as spiritual character is developed the intellectual capabilities are increased, as in the case of Daniel.MYP 173.1–2+2 This wholehearted devotion forbids half-way work and trying to serve God and mammon at the same time, calls for hearing God's voice and obeying fully, and makes heroic ministers of righteousness even without preaching, loyal to God's claims and jealous for Christ's honor, ministering with willing mind, earnest spirit, and hearty unselfish zeal, winning hearts by care and thoughtfulness rather than seeking personal dignity, and standing firm as a rock against inducements to sin in refusal to be moved from duty.Ms 7, 1885, par. 7 Such love comes through the working of the Holy Spirit upon mind and heart, brings harmony with Christ's character, produces true humility with fitting dignity, and qualifies a person to be a co-laborer with Jesus in the greatest work ever given to mortals.2T 503.1+1

The language about giving mind, soul, and strength applies to workers who devote themselves fully to bearing the burdens of the work, whose compensation should reflect the time and effort they give without making God's work a mercenary pursuit or granting exorbitant salaries.SSP 12.4–5

The living principles of salvation stated here sum duty to God in the first four commandments and duty to fellow beings in the last six, yet the natural condition of humanity is sinfulness and no fallen person can meet this requirement in human strength alone.Lt 122, 1896, par. 9–12+2 The requirement is wholehearted love for God with heart, soul, strength and mind and love for neighbor as self, and doing it is what brings life and entrance into eternal life.Lt 122, 1896, par. 9–12+2 Such perfect love can come only from a perfect heart, so the state of the heart is shown by the love manifested in the life.Lt 32, 1906, par. 8–9+1 Obedience therefore requires faith that works by love and purifies the soul, and practicing these principles through imparted power forms a character acceptable in heaven and prepares for eternal life.Lt 32, 1906, par. 8–9+1 The law plainly requires this wholehearted love and cannot be set aside or replaced by another way to eternal life, but obedience is possible through the merits of Jesus Christ and the great sacrifice offered on man's behalf.Lt 122, 1896, par. 9–12+1

What was lost through Adam by disobedience must be brought back by obedience, which is keeping the commandments and is the whole duty required to enter eternal life.5MR 260.1+1 God showed great love in sending His own Son to suffer, be tempted, and save to the uttermost, and in return He demands this obedience of full love to God and love to neighbor as self.Ms 38, 1886, par. 9–12+1 No one can obey in his own strength; only by accepting the virtue and grace of Christ, through belief in the propitiation for sin and the atoning sacrifice, can fallen man keep the law and so love God with the whole heart and his neighbor as himself.Ms 167, 1898, par. 2–4+1 Christ's grace enables obedience that shapes character after God's likeness and expresses divine love in dealings with others, with the promise joined to the command that doing it brings life.Ms 87, 1894, par. 3–5+2 Obedience is sanctified through divine grace by the Holy Spirit renewing, sanctifying and working within, and under the better covenant overcoming every sin is necessary for receiving the overcomer's reward and entering heaven.Ms 85, 1906, par. 19–21+1 This wholehearted love involving the whole heart, mind and strength, not only part of a person, is connected with being sanctified in body and spirit and with living faithfully in every duty.Ms 85, 1906, par. 19–21+1

The law of love is to be engraved on the tablets of the heart, though the world counts such wholehearted love to God and neighbor as going to extremes.Lt 107, 1902, par. 9+1 No one can truly fulfill the requirements of God's law without having that law written on the heart and making righteousness a part of life, rather than keeping truth in the outer court with mere profession and superficial love that exercises little controlling power over reason.Ms 6a, 1902, par. 12–13+1 This is the hearty response of a heart brought into conformity to the will of God, cleansed from all defilement and guile and filled to overflowing with the love of Christ, enlisting the whole being in God's service and setting the affections on things above.Lt 107, 1902, par. 9+1 Love here is more than sentiment: it works through faith, purifies the soul, and is shown in Christlike kindness, patience, tenderness and sacrificial care for souls, with the undivided affections required and a divided heart refused.Ms 35, 1891, par. 24–25+1 This can be fulfilled only by faith in Christ's righteousness as substitute, surety and righteousness; as the believer beholds Jesus the Holy Spirit leads to growth in grace and likeness to Christ, divine power fulfills the law's righteousness in believers, and keeping God's commandments is the evidence of faith in Christ and the witness to transformation of character by an indwelling Saviour.6MR 155.2–156.1+2

Luke 10:27 is God's standard of justice for testing every person's character, the holy immutable law and the one standard all must meet in the judgment, with no human standard accepted and no evasion or twisting of its terms.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5+3 It means exactly what it says and includes the whole person and the whole duty of humanity: total, supreme love to God with all heart, soul, strength and mind joined with love to neighbor as self, which is perfect, complete obedience summed in the first four commandments defining duty to God and the last six defining duty to fellow beings.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5+2 Not one atom will be subtracted from this requirement of perfect, continuous, unswerving obedience with entire self-surrender and entire devotion to God's service, and those who carry it out do not reveal the attributes of Satan but are judged worthy to inherit eternal life.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5+1 Doing this love is the fixed condition for living, for winning heaven and gaining a life that measures with the life of God, the test of being on the Lord's side to be lived out and shown as an example, while a life that fails it is found wanting before God and recorded in heaven as a failure.Ms 162, 1899, par. 3–5+2 The standard can be reached by giving oneself to Christ, using lent gifts, talents and life itself to honor Him and bless others by goodness, mercy and righteousness, keeping mind, soul and body in the most healthful condition to offer an acceptable sacrifice with clear discernment between the sacred and the common.Lt 13, 1902, par. 38–39+1

In the weighing in the balances of the sanctuary this law is placed in one scale while every person's character, motives, purposes and actions are placed in the opposite scale, and by that just comparison every doom is irretrievably fixed.Ms 65, 1886, par. 43–46 God weighs moral worth, not money or worldly honor, with every act recorded, blessing the obedient and cursing the disobedient, so entire love with no reserve decides a clear title to the heavenly inheritance and to eternal life when the earth reels to and fro.Ms 27, 1899, par. 22–23+2 Loving God supremely leaves no place for sin to reign and is the fruit produced by obedience, while love to neighbor keeps a person from doing harm to others; the law claims the whole person at all times, and doing this brings life and reward both in the present life and in the life to come, while disobedience brings guilt, loss of life and abiding wrath.Ms 27, 1899, par. 22–23 Business that occupies mind and attention and separates the soul from God breaks that whole love, and to lose heaven is to lose everything, for to sin is too expensive.Ms 2, 1893, par. 1–2 The demand states personal responsibility before God and reaches beyond outward actions to thoughts, desires, purposes and secrets of the heart, so a person may appear loyal or upright to others while breaking the law inwardly, and it exposes both wrongdoing and failure to do good.Ms 4a, 1898, par. 17–18+2

That searching claim makes the verse a standard for close self-examination that reveals manifest deficiency, showing a broad and deep work to be done in fallen humanity to meet its claims.Lt 78, 1894, par. 5+1 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, and the one weighed by it in the sanctuary is found wanting and self-condemned, with the Holy Spirit impressing conviction of neglect upon the heart and failure recorded as transgression against the name.Lt 41, 1898, par. 35–38+1 The law is a divine unity in which the same principle runs through all its precepts, so keeping one while breaking another is not obedience to the whole law, failure in love to God is failure in love to neighbor, and obedience to the whole determines human destiny.DA 497.4–498.1+1 Keeping it means pursuing the wisest, less rigid course toward others in order to win and help them, showing true Christian sympathy and tenderness and coming near in patience and love, with the tenderness given to husband and relatives extended in Christlike help to the needy and with daily united prayer preventing estrangement.Lt 78, 1894, par. 5 God accepts no half-hearted obedience but demands continuous, unswerving, entire obedience to every precept.Lt 41, 1898, par. 35–38

The standard must not be weakened or lowered to human standards, and though seen in the light of Christ's sacrifice it reveals sin and its own holiness, it cannot save a transgressor.Ms 30, 1889, par. 62–67 Grace does not excuse continued sin or diminish the law; Christ bears the penalty for sin so sinners may receive His righteousness by faith, with repentance and belief required.Ms 30, 1889, par. 62–67+1 When the burden is carried with faith and the best is done, Christ looks at the spirit and His perfect holiness atones for shortcomings.Lt 22, 1889, par. 35–36 This love is the very essence of religion as a principle in the soul, not merely the performance of virtuous acts though virtuous acts are its natural fruits, for it is the spirit in which acts are performed rather than the performance that counts with God, who looks at the heart and weighs motive as well as words and actions.Lt 22, 1889, par. 35–36 The lawyer was found wanting in this love though he could have vindicated himself by ceremonial correctness and claimed to be blameless, and even giving goods to feed the poor or giving the body to be burned is failure if not actuated by living principles of love for God and humanity.Lt 22, 1889, par. 35–36

Obedience is obligatory even when doing so disregards the sentiments of the religious world.Ms 153, 1898, par. 25–26 Those who do not obey its command to love God fully and neighbor as self place themselves in opposition to those who do obey, and they are not satisfied to transgress themselves but demand that conscientious keepers follow in their steps, bringing oppression because of religious faith.Ms 153, 1898, par. 25–26 God claims the whole heart, soul and affections of every person whether professing Christianity or not, and ignoring His claims and refusing offered mercy is sin, not an excuse from guilt.STSE 34.1–2 The call is to affection, devotion and cheerful obedience, and the present time is the opportunity to surrender fully to God.STSE 34.1–2

A neighbor is not kin only, church member only, fellow believer only, or one of one's own race, color, class, party or group, but any needy, unfortunate, suffering, wounded or destitute person brought to notice, including strangers, the unconverted, the discourteous, the difficult and the wounded and bruised soul, and society is not to be divided into alienated classes, for every person is God's property.3T 523.2–3+4 Loving such a neighbor is the second great commandment for inheriting eternal life, depending on and summing the last six commandments as love to God sums the first four, so that failure to open the heart to human want proves the heart is not open to God and to offend in this one point is to be guilty of all.3T 523.2–3+4 The law is not kept by outward forms, preaching, profession or mere knowledge of its words, but by practicing its principles, and neglecting one who needs help breaks it, removes assurance of life, and leaves idols holding the affections.3T 523.2–3+4 Love for neighbor includes earnestly sharing truth and relieving temporal need as far as possible, since meeting such need opens the way to reach the heart with moral and religious truth.HSFM 149.1–2+2

Neighbor love is impartial, unselfish and active, measured by the care one gives oneself and shown in practical mercy, compassion, kindness, sympathy and tender care even when difficult, inconvenient, costly, unappreciated or unrepaid, and across prejudice and social and religious boundaries.Ms 87, 1894, par. 28–31+4 It is the law's far-reaching requirement linked to life, exposing the failure of religious people who see suffering but refuse help, and reflecting God's character and representing Christ when mercy and practical care are given to sufferers.Ms 66, 1890, par. 2–4+4 Doing this brings life, meaning eternal life, and when these principles are followed peace and happiness and joy enter home and church, for true religion is not outward ceremony but purity of heart and a lowly life shaped by Christ's character.Lt 70, 1906, par. 6–8+3

The parable defines neighbor as the one who showed mercy: a man going from Jerusalem to Jericho was stripped, robbed, wounded and left half dead by thieves, and a priest and a Levite saw him and passed by on the other side, but a despised Samaritan pitied him, went to him, bound his wounds with oil and wine, set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, cared for him, paid two pence and promised more.Ms 97, 1901, par. 15–18+4 Who counts as neighbor therefore means one who acts mercifully toward someone in need regardless of identity, and the command is to go and do likewise in the work to be done.Lt 42, 1907, par. 14–16+4 Love for God engaging the whole person in heart, soul, strength and mind must become an abiding principle expressed in loving deeds and words toward all needing grace and patience, for without such love there is no true obedience.ST Feb 24, 1898+2

Going and doing likewise proves the Samaritan a doer of the law who fulfilled neighbor love despite contempt and revealed greater righteousness than his despisers, while the priest and Levite broke the command by refusing help and passing by.ST Jul 14, 1909+4 The command calls for active compassion and help rather than profession alone, cultivated in family life and taught to children as part of education in how to live, and no one loves God without loving his neighbor as the purchase of Christ's blood, so love will not enclose itself within four walls away from suffering but goes out to relieve it.ST Jul 14, 1909+4 The Samaritan represents Christ, who humbled Himself to serve humanity and gave Himself for others rather than living to please Himself, and such mercy across divisions gives evidence of keeping the whole law.Ms 109, 1906, par. 15–16+4 The priest and Levite, though professing God's law as guide, broke it when they refused compassionate help to their suffering brother, and Christ pressed the principles so directly, definitely and pointedly as to expose neglect and leave no room for objection.Ms 167, 1898, par. 8–10+2 The verse thus exposes present and present-day failure to live this love, illustrated by the Good Samaritan account through practical care for suffering people and by the call for wholehearted, undivided love rather than a heart divided between God and evil.Ms 141, 1906, par. 43–46

True religion is love for God and neighbor expressed in loving deeds that seek the greatest good of others, not a mere system, creed, rite, feeling, ceremonial correctness or outward performance, for God weighs motive and the spirit of acts.DA 497.1+4 Knowing, assenting, preaching or teaching truth is not enough without living its principles, and profession without daily practice leaves the soul barren.18MR 1.7–2.1+4 The vital principle in church life is active love carried into daily conduct by every member and freed from selfishness, shown by recognizing the needs and claims of suffering people and acting on them.4T 57.2+1 Suspicion and imagining evil toward others violate these two great principles on which hang all the law and the prophets, and failure to obey brings consequences.18MR 1.7–2.1+1

Obedience is the fruit of love and the evidence of genuine saving knowledge of God, purifying the heart of selfishness, sensuality and sin and choosing what is lovely and of good report through the Spirit's work.2T 169.2–4+3 Supreme love for God is shown by loving those for whom Christ died, doing good, encouraging and strengthening others, and avoiding an example that endangers souls.Ms 133, 1899, par. 18–19+1 Such love is the mark of Christians and leads them to give up worldly treasures and honors if it may help someone serve Christ.2T 169.2–4 It means living under Christ's light yoke in living connection with Him, returning to loyalty by obeying all His commandments, learning His meekness and lowliness in willing homage to a plain Thus saith the Lord, and finding peace, pure character through Christ alone, and blessing without stumbling or exhausting vigor in vain.Ms 166, 1897, par. 6 As gospel light and blessing increase, this active benevolence and practical support for others' salvation requires greater generosity, not less.RH Aug 25, 1874

Loving God supremely leaves no place for sin to reign, for love to God is the fruit of obedience and claims the whole person at all times, with complete obedience as the only condition meeting its requirement.Ms 27, 1899, par. 22–23+2 Perfect obedience means loving with the whole being in thought, word and deed, in deed and in truth, shown in attitude and action toward fellow men without indifference or working to hurt, destroy and tear down, but with humility, contrition, repentance and conversion.Lt 276, 1904, par. 7–11+1 Love for neighbor keeps a person from doing harm to others, and transgressing this love is sin because sin is transgression of the law.Ms 27, 1899, par. 22–23+2 Doing this love brings life both now and to come, while disobedience brings guilt, loss of life and abiding wrath, and the command exposes failure shown by exalting self while disparaging others and by the lawyer's attempt to justify himself when convicted.Ms 27, 1899, par. 22–23+1

This standard calls for dealing with a neighbor's fault privately rather than spreading it, with reconciliation before worship preparing for eternal life.Ms 140, 1906, par. 9–10 It must shape conduct toward fellow workers in meetings, lest hearts harden and perceptions grow dull, and wholehearted love like Christ's should build up rather than discourage fellow believers.Ms 94, 1904, par. 17–18+1 It requires unity and harmony in which members do not measure one another against themselves, withhold confidence, or leave one isolated for slower progress, but press together united in Christ.Ms 57, 1906, par. 13–15+1 Keeping it means pursuing the wisest, less rigid course to win and help others, showing Christian sympathy, tenderness, patience and love, coming near in Christ's spirit, extending to the needy the tenderness given to husband and relatives, and maintaining daily united prayer to prevent estrangement.Lt 78, 1894, par. 5

The twofold love is the first principle of true education, the foundation of all true godliness, the guide of life, and the basis of creation and redemption, requiring the highest development of every power and restoration of God's image in body, mind and soul.ED 16.1–2+3 It is the first law for the mind and essential for youth to obey in order to have eternal life, to be taught as Bible instruction shaping character and pressed toward eternal life rather than nonessential questions.CT 403.1+2 This is the very work appointed to believers, not obtaining wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas, for Christ Himself laid this foundation by giving His life for the world and then defined neighbor and what love does.Ms 160, 1904, par. 27–32 It is the true science of Christianity and the heart of higher education, calling the whole person and all capabilities into active service, to be lived by physicians, workers, baptismal candidates and children in families.Lt 390, 1904, par. 2–4 The greatest in the kingdom are those who love the Saviour too well to misrepresent Him and love fellow men too well to imperil souls by wrong example.ST May 22, 1901

Christ's command to love one another as He loved His disciples raises this standard higher and still higher, and love for one another by that measure identifies His disciples.8T 164.3+4 Love for neighbor as self is not enough; love must reach the measure of Christ's love, continuing in His love by keeping His commandments.Ms 70, 1898, par. 6–7 The disciples did not grasp that love when spoken but understood it as never before after witnessing His suffering and death and seeing Him risen and ascended.8T 164.3+2 That love of Christ must be cultivated for others, taking time to become acquainted with those in the community, for truth will not remain in the heart unless it works by love to save perishing souls.Ms 70, 1898, par. 6–7 Strictness about the law while breaking it by wicked works, teaching human maxims, traditions and doctrines for God's commandments and misleading the people, proves spiritual blindness and keeps neither principle.Ms 75, 1898, par. 3–5

True worship belongs to zeal, earnestness and fervor toward a God who is Spirit and seeks worship in spirit and truth, kept through much prayer, walking humbly with God, personal effort, self hidden with Christ in God, earnest asking, short prayers in meetings and lengthy prayers in private communion, and daily imbuing with life-giving power.10MR 130.2–131.1 Failing to meet the standard of supreme love for God and love for neighbor leaves people distracted by nonessential speculation and open to sophistries replacing the pure gospel.Lt 280a, 1904, par. 14–15 The fundamental principle of love carries the Ten Commandments into detail and applies them to human duties and circumstances.PP 305.2 True godliness is shown by deeds not profession or position, binding people to one another, and a Christlike character keeping these terms of eternal life shows that God has sent His Son, while those claiming to be Christians but not acting as Christ would misrepresent Him and harm His cause.16MR 71.1–2

Love for God with every power of being and love for neighbor as self must be lived out in prompt practical mercy and missionary work that relieves suffering, gives work and support, and meets temporal needs as far as possible.HSFM 149.1–2+2 This help is to be given without first asking about beliefs, sharing truth earnestly while caring for the body, giving up unnecessary comforts to support the needy, and thereby opening hearts to spiritual good and the salvation of souls.HSFM 149.1–2+1 The same twofold love governs every part of life in honest and just dealing, where it abounds the gospel prevails, and it is shown in much prayer, humble walking with God, hiding self in Him, daily sustaining by His life-giving power, and zeal and fervor in spirit-and-truth worship that works by faith, bears fruit, and brings glory to God.Lt 72, 1900, par. 3–6+2

In business this love forbids taking advantage of anyone for personal gain, whether believer or unbeliever, and requires dealing with every person as one would wish to be treated in every interaction.2T 42.2–43.1+1 It forbids close or unjust trading, dishonesty, oppression, fraud, and seeking advantage at a neighbor's disadvantage, including spiritually or financially harming fellow believers, allowing business to absorb mind and attention and separate the soul from God, and intemperance that impairs reason.2T 42.2–43.1+3 Such violation breaks the expressed law of justice and mercy, brings a curse, is marked by God who weighs moral worth and not money or worldly honor, exposes the critic's own faults and guilt, and calls for confession, restitution, reformation, and fair dealing in word and deed.Ms 109, 1906, par. 28–30+3

Pledging support to unions and confederacies of the last days makes keeping this whole duty impossible, because it means disregarding the entire Decalogue.3MR 42.6–43.2+2 To belong is to pledge support to that which deprives neighbors of freedom of action and to form combinations that rob the poorer classes of advantages justly belonging to them by preventing them from buying or selling except under imposed conditions.3MR 42.6–43.2+2 Such arrangements are incompatible with consecrating the whole being—body, soul, and spirit—to God's service in supreme love to God inseparable from refusing selfishness and oppression, a love that Christ's grace enables to shape character after God's likeness and express divine love in dealings with others on the path of obedience to the commandments.2MR 179.1–2+2

Supreme love governs property of every kind as a talent loaned by God, to be used with wisdom and sanctified judgment in its proper subordinate place under eternal interests so as best to advance God's glory and give account to Him.Lt 118, 1897, par. 26–33+2 When money charms the heart it becomes a snare, master, and idol put above God's favor instead of a servant for good, and when property or anything else stands between a person and obedience it ruins eternal interests, since no one can serve God and mammon and happiness comes only as God's name is glorified in its use.Lt 118, 1897, par. 26–33+1 This stewardship requires proportionate benevolence, offerings, and self-sacrifice for others' salvation, caring for needy cases like the beggar, and forbids selfish use, living as if possessions came by one's own might, oppressing workers, neglecting the poor, widows, strangers and isolated brethren, and selfish institutional moves irrespective of others' rights, such as starting sanitarium work on independent lines where one is already established or drawing any thread of selfishness into schools and sanitariums.Ms 93, 1901, par. 6–10+2

Withholding abilities from a needy neighbor robs God and shows failure to devote opportunities to Him, for the law's requirement of life includes just treatment and practical care for the poor, strangers, widows, dependent relatives, and fellow believers in need.Lt 14, 1884, par. 1–6+2 Neglect to support a poor sister or own flesh and blood transgresses the law, is recorded in heaven, and invites loss of health and property, while God still tests every person by putting needy objects before them to see what is in them and what they will do.Lt 14, 1884, par. 1–6+1 Seeking self and personal convenience by letting a nearby needy school or institution go on without faithful help and rebuke, duplicating a medical institution close to one already built at great cost, carrying the work selfishly in one country while destitute fields wait, marketing ensnaring goods, and doing injustice and causing grief to God's children seeking to do His will—which Christ regards as done to Himself—all break full love to God and neighbor as self.Ms 152, 1904, par. 9–10+2

Doing what is commanded and living is not mere knowing but being a doer who builds on solid rock by taking eyes off self to behold Jesus the perfect Pattern, striving for the same perfection, examining self, cutting away everything unlike Him, feeding on Christ, and working for perishing souls without faultfinding or selfish motive.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60+1 It means abandoning Satan's service, ceasing to sin, coming out from wicked associates, receiving Christ with soul, body, and spirit, forsaking all to abide in Him and follow His footsteps, centering affections on heavenly things, denying self, taking up the cross, and walking guided by the Spirit to overcome every sin and enter eternal bliss as refined sons and daughters of the heavenly King.Ms 60, 1898, par. 58–60+2 Every power and talent is thus to be given to unselfish service in God's work and to others, with no plans contrary to this love and no adequate excuse for a divided heart absorbed and controlled by earthly affections, since humanity is bought with precious blood and the new life of conversion produces God-likeness.Ms 75, 1895, par. 5+3

Loving the Lord with all heart, soul, strength, and mind requires giving self unreservedly to God, keeping the heart with diligence with sanctified affections set on things above, and turning from iniquity to Him with the whole heart for healing from the great Physician through confession.Lt 33, 1905, par. 12–13 Drinking in iniquity and disregarding His plain prohibition, including taking love that belongs to another, makes one sin-sick, and those persisting in such iniquity are unfit to be employed together in His institutions.Lt 33, 1905, par. 12–13