22:38Matthew 22:38

This is the first and greatest commandment, requiring supreme, wholehearted love to God with all the heart, soul, mind, might and strength.SG4 235.3–4+2 It sums up the first four precepts of the Decalogue which define human duty to God, while love to neighbor as self sums up the last six defining duty to people.SG4 235.3–4+2 Together with love to neighbor, it states the two great principles on which hang all the law and the prophets, comprising the whole duty of moral beings.RH Apr 1, 1915+2 That love allows no divided heart or idol, and is not mere acknowledgment, outward worship, profession or feeling, but a living principle shown in willing obedience to all His requirements with God given first and supreme place.SG4 235.3–4+4 Sinful man cannot render this obedience by his own strength or natural temperament, but through coming to Christ, receiving His love, and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in him.GC 263.1+3 Doing this love brings life, for obedience to both loves is the condition of eternal life.ST Oct 2, 1901+2

This is the first and great, or greatest, commandment, calling for supreme, wholehearted love to the Lord God with all the heart and soul and mind, with all might and strength and mind, inseparably joined with love for neighbor as self.SG4 235.3–4+4 It permits no rival affection and no separation of the affections from God, allowing nothing to divide love or share supreme delight in Him, for whatever divides supreme love assumes the form of an idol, separates the soul from God, and must be sacrificed and put away in order to advance in Christian experience.SG4 235.3–4+2 It is a positive command, not optional obedience when convenient, exposing pride and selfishness and requiring a transformed mind with all powers brought into submission to God, and together with love to neighbor it comprises human duty and sums up the law and the prophets.RH Apr 1, 1915+2 It stands with the first four precepts of the Decalogue which embody wholehearted devotion to God, while failure in kind words, kindness, gentleness, patience and care for others' interests violates its final six commandments and cannot be called acceptable service, rejecting selfishness.CT 329.2+2 To love God and keep His commandments stands far from loving the world's pleasures, friendship, elements and friendship with Belial, with whom Christ has no concord, for God has chosen His people out of the world to be separate and drawn to Himself, to trust in Him alone and press on without fear in obedience, though the carnal heart would cling to idols and carry them along.SG4 235.3–4+1

It states the standard God gave mankind by which to form character, spoken by God with an audible voice in awful grandeur and majesty from Mount Sinai amid thundering and lightning.Ms 48, 1893, par. 13–14+1 It distinctly states what must be done to render acceptable obedience and what must not be done to remain loyal to His law, leaving nothing obscure or indefinite about salvation, and in the councils of heaven it was determined to give mankind a living exemplification of this law in the great sacrifice made for man.Ms 48, 1893, par. 13–14 It sums up the first four of the ten holy precepts defining human duty to God, while the last six define duty to man, and together with love to neighbor it holds all the law and the prophets and reveals the whole duty of the human family.ST Mar 4, 1897 It is God's standard of obedience given in love to elevate and ennoble humanity, requiring perfection of character and unswerving obedience which sinful man of himself is unable to render.ST Mar 4, 1897

It repeats the counsel given to Israel through Moses before entering the promised land to fear the Lord, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve Him with all heart and soul, and to keep His commandments and statutes for good, with the counsel to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God.PK 326.1–2 It is to be cherished in the heart and taught diligently from one generation to the next, and its neglect along with disregard for God's commandments contributes to widespread sin and crime.RH Nov 23, 1916 Joined to it is the second like unto it, to love neighbor as self, on which two commandments hang all the law and the prophets, meaning practical godliness rather than formalism.RH Nov 23, 1916+1 It places God's requirement on intelligent creatures who may know and do the will of God or refuse to submit their finite will to the Infinite, commanding love with all heart and soul and strength and mind as the first of two principles.ST Oct 1, 1894 Proper understanding of its far-reaching principles is for present and eternal interest, because by the law is the knowledge of sin and sin is the transgression of the law.ST Oct 1, 1894

It is taught without controversy, drawing the statement from the questioner himself and confirming that doing it gives eternal life as the one thing needful.Lt 32, 1906, par. 8–9+1 Obeyed and practiced, its two principles overcome the temptations of satanic agencies and contain the wisdom and power of God, giving those who believe in and receive Christ power to become sons of God.Lt 32, 1906, par. 8–9 Bringing these principles into daily life forms a character acceptable in heaven, sanctifying through the truth into fitness for heaven above, and when lived out in the church as practical godliness it bears witness to the world.Lt 32, 1906, par. 8–9+1 Its surrounding teaching warns that rejecting the Son of God brings judgment, applying to people in every age so that those who refuse Him must repent or face the doom foreshadowed by His examples.DA 600.3 The Jewish people had received great light but failed to put these principles into practice as a practical principle shaping life.14MR 59.1–3 As the light of heaven and the highest Teacher, Christ instructed Israel what true holiness is under God's moral government by joining love for God with love for neighbor as self, yet Israel refused to obey, rejecting God as Ruler and Governor, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men and longing to adopt the customs of other nations.Ms 149, 1898, par. 11

This is the first and great commandment of supreme love to God with all heart, soul, mind, might and strength, and it sums up the first four precepts of the Decalogue which define human duty to God, while love to neighbor as self sums up the last six which define duty to people.SG4 235.3–4+2 The Decalogue is the moral code engraved by God on two tables of stone containing the foundation principles of all human duty, with every other command in Scripture only a specification or amplification of the ten.ST Mar 4, 1897+1 Obedience to the first four expresses love to God while obedience to the last six expresses love to neighbor, allowing no rival affection and no separation of the affections from God.SG4 235.3–4+4

Together with love to neighbor as self, these are the two great principles on which hang all the law and the prophets, comprising the whole duty of moral beings, fallen humanity, and the human family.TBC1868 4.2–7.1+4 They fulfill the law and support all the law and the prophets, taking in the entire Bible, and their claims require action, not belief alone.RH Apr 1, 1915+2 It is a positive command, not an optional duty to be obeyed only when convenient, exposing pride and selfishness and calling for transformed mind and powers brought into submission to God.TBC1868 4.2–7.1

The law is a divine unity with the same principle running through every precept, so keeping one while breaking another is not obedience to the whole law.DA 607.1–2+1 Human destiny is determined by obedience to that whole law lived out in practice toward God and neighbor.DA 497.4–498.1 The commandments are not separate rules of unequal importance but are united by love, which tests obedience, and no commandment is minor or may be broken without violating love.DA 606.3–5+2 Love for God leads to love for others, and when God has the rightful place in the heart the neighbor receives the right place, so only supreme love for God makes impartial love for others possible.DA 607.1–2

The commandments form a perfect, enduring rule of life honored and obeyed by Christ, whose reach includes thoughts and intentions and not only outward actions.AA 505.1–506.2 In the sermon on the mount He showed its requirements extend beyond outward acts to take cognizance of the thoughts and intents of the heart.SLP 323.2–324.1 The law has not abated one jot of its claims through all generations to the close of time, remaining still the believer's rule of life and the sinner's condemnation, leading those who obey it to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly, righteously, and godly.AA 505.1–506.2+1

This belongs to Christ's teaching that God's law is a law of love to God and people and an expression of divine goodness.ED 76.3–4+1 Obedience to its principles brings human happiness and supports the stability of society, protecting from evil, guarding each person's rights, restraining oppression and disobedience, and securing well-being in this life and the life to come, making obedience a pledge of eternal life.ED 76.3–4 Its divine requirements and universal claim bind angels and all human beings and are founded on love to God and fellow beings.RH Apr 23, 1901+1 They remain binding in every detail and are not replaced by external ceremonies, human traditions, religious symbols or outward displays when conduct contradicts the law.ST Oct 24, 1895+1

The law is an unchanging revelation of God's loving character and will, and love fulfills it.GC88 466.4 The love of God underlies every precept, so disregarding any commandment is a departure from that love and brings unhappiness and ruin, as the first parents' disregard of God's will in one matter brought woe upon the world, and each person following their example reaps a similar result. The law God gave to bind people to obedience is the law of love, a complete and safe standard of right conduct shaping fair and honest dealings, a law of love, harmony, unity and holiness guarding from evil paths.Lt 15, 1895, par. 17–20+2 Obedience working by love purifies the soul, and love for Christ is shown in love for others.RH Feb 24, 1903

The command is the first of the two great principles that sum up God's holy, everlasting, immutable law, which is the standard by which people are tried and which defines what to do and not do by saying Thou shalt and Thou shalt not.Ms 23, 1906, par. 6–7 It means just what it says, and few will be prepared to meet it in the great day of judgment, so the individual preparation called for in the home and in the church is needed to avoid suffering and sin.Ms 23, 1906, par. 6–7 The law bidding love to God supremely and neighbor as self is the single standard by which every character is tested, leaving no room for human-made measures and making no difference between poor and rich but measuring all alike.Lt 20a, 1893, par. 18–21

It states the first and great division of the law, man's duty to God, distinct from the precepts specifying man's duty to fellow man, and the fourth commandment links those two divisions together.Ms 27, 1899, par. 2 Calling attention to the righteousness of that law barricades the soul against Satan's devices.Ms 27, 1899, par. 2 Satan therefore seeks to lead men to ignore the law as null and void, to believe faith in Christ alone is enough, and to make sin not appear exceeding sinful, with ministers preaching against the law and especially against the linking fourth commandment.Ms 27, 1899, par. 2

Wholehearted love to God is impossible while breaking the fourth commandment, which stands in the center of the Decalogue, so keeping the Sabbath is part of keeping the first commandment and fits for eternal life.Ms 39, 1886, par. 4+1 Duty to God is a central Bible principle, plainly revealed alongside humanity's duty to one another.Lt 57, 1901, par. 3–4 Together with love for neighbor as self, the command expresses the duty God requires, with His law the complete reliable standard for how people serve Him and treat one another, together comprehending the whole duty of humanity as sound doctrine, wheat against the chaff of human vagaries.Ms 45, 1900, par. 26+1

The first and great commandment to love God with all heart, soul, mind and strength is inseparable from, joined to and paired with love for neighbor as self, the two belonging together as one united law. ST Apr 25, 1878+4 Love for God includes love for people made in His image, and when God has His rightful supreme place in mind and heart the neighbor is put in the right place. ST Apr 25, 1878+2 Only supreme love to God makes impartial love to others possible, and giving God that place leads to faithful obedience to the commandments governing duty to others. DA 607.1–2+1 The first four commandments express duty to the Creator and the last six express duty to others, and keeping the first faithfully leads to keeping the second. ST Apr 25, 1878+1 The first cannot be kept while the second is broken nor the second while the first is broken, for they spring from the same root and breaking any precept violates the underlying principle of love. 3SP 52.1+3 This love is a living principle shown in willing obedience to all requirements, giving God supreme place so that self-love, love of the world or undue affection for created things cannot take His place, and it requires His best and holiest affections rather than mere acknowledgment of power or outward worship. ST Apr 25, 1878+1 Love from the Spirit cannot be separated from love for God's children but flows outward to shape character in unselfish care for others. ST Dec 9, 1886

Loving God supremely and delighting to obey His commandments leads naturally to loving one's brother as oneself. HLT1 10.3–4 That wholehearted love is the basis of brotherly kindness and charity, the crowning grace in Christian sanctification. HLT1 10.3–4 Supreme love produces love for neighbors as themselves and makes believers closely united in heart and purpose, fulfilling Christ's prayer that they might be one. 13MR 143.2+1 Striving to love God supremely teaches people to love neighbors as themselves, and those who so love God will love neighbor as self. Ms 11, 1901, par. 32–34+2 When God's love fills a person the whole law is fulfilled and love for neighbor follows naturally as love for oneself. Lt 47, 1894, par. 15–16

Love for others is evidence of love for Christ and a visible witness of true religion, supporting with supreme love all the law and the prophets. Lt 21, 1901, par. 13 Love for God is revealed in love for other people, especially neighbors and fellow believers as oneself. Ms 41, 1890, par. 20–24 Such love is not compromise with sin or pursuit of selfish advantage but Christlike love leading to self-denial, kindness and care for others. Ms 41, 1890, par. 20–24 Self-denial, kindness and mercy toward fellow believers show that love for God is genuine and that Christ's Spirit is working in the heart. Lt 71, 1897, par. 13–15

The first command joined with loving neighbor as self is the fulfilling of the law, which is Christ's command to love one another. Ms 50, 1893, par. 13–14 Keeping it is abiding in Christ's love even as Christ kept His Father's commandments, and it gives the joy of obedience which Christ alone can give. Ms 50, 1893, par. 13–14 That love was shown when Christ laid down His life for His friends on the cross to draw all to Him, His friends being those who do whatever He commands. Ms 50, 1893, par. 13–14 It is lived in sanctification as cheerful performance of daily duties in perfect obedience to God's commandments, cooperating with Christ in redemption. Ms 50, 1893, par. 13–14 Obeying these supreme and unselfish principles gains eternal life, for they are the great principle on which hang all the law and the prophets. Ms 101, 1901, par. 42–46 This supreme love joined with unselfish love for one another is Christlike love, the best gift God bestows, to be earnestly sought and revealed by restoring fallen brethren, showing interest in the needy, speaking and acting kindly, being the Lord's helping hand and not passing by on the other side to favor those who do not love God. Ms 101, 1901, par. 42–46

Loving God supremely and neighbor as self expels envy, resentment, strife and hatred, replacing them with sanctified affection and kindly regard for others. Lt 28, 1888, par. 36 This love marks a life ruled by the Spirit of God and, lived out in education, brings transformation of character excluding envy, rivalry and selfishness. Lt 28, 1888, par. 36+1 Loving God with the whole heart means refusing to cherish envy and jealousy toward fellow believers, since these feelings create discord and spoil experience. Lt 63, 1902, par. 11

The law is a moral mirror revealing whether people truly obey the command to love God with whole heart, soul and mind and the command to love neighbors. ST Mar 11, 1897 Professing supreme love for God while treating others with cold indifference or injustice is not willing obedience. ST Mar 11, 1897 Seeing such wrong should lead to repentance and a plea for God's power to show Christ's kindness and forbearance. ST Mar 11, 1897

God's commandments are grounded in love, the law reflects God's character, and its spiritual meaning is obscured when human rules replace its principle of love. ST Apr 23, 1896 Loving God supremely is the first requirement of God's law, and Christ's call to take His yoke teaches that obedience and service belong together. ST Jun 16, 1898 Giving mind, soul, heart and strength to God as Christ did in uncomplaining submission prepares people to love God supremely and neighbor as themselves. ST Jun 16, 1898

This is the first and great commandment to love God with all heart, soul, mind and strength, and it permits no rival affection, no divided heart, no separation of the affections, no mixed or uncertain motive, and nothing to share supreme delight in Him.SG4 235.3–4+4 Whatever divides supreme love and takes away supreme love assumes the form of an idol, separates the soul from God, and must be sacrificed and put away in order to advance in Christian experience.SG4 235.3–4+4 Any pursuit that takes the devotion belonging to God becomes an idol, especially when it receives the freshest hours, closest thought and greatest effort, and the carnal heart would cling to idols and carry them along.SG4 235.3–4+2 Cherishing this love means forsaking idols, obeying fully the first four commandments, separating from worldly pleasures and friendship and from the elements of the world, trusting in God alone and pressing on without fear in obedience, for there is no concord between Christ and Belial.SG4 235.3–4+4 Gatherings for mere amusement that confuse faith and make the motive uncertain break the command, and God wants all there is of a person because He made all there is and gave a complete sacrifice to redeem body and soul, so He will accept nothing less.SG4 235.3–4+2

This love is not merely acknowledging God's power, performing outward worship or formal religion, professing faith, knowing truth intellectually, belief in His existence, or mere emotion or feeling.RH Apr 1, 1915+4 It is a living, abiding principle shown in willing obedience to all His requirements, giving God supreme place and first place in mind and heart, with reverence, honor and desire to do His will, and failure to obey willingly shows the love is false.Ms 79, 1896, par. 10–12+3 It is a positive command, not optional obedience when convenient, and its claims require action, not belief alone.TBC1868 4.2–7.1+2 Self-love, love of the world, or undue and excessive affection for created things cannot take His place but is idolatry that turns the heart from Him, for He requires the best and holiest affections to reign supreme.ST Apr 25, 1878+2 Knowing or teaching the commandments in theory is not enough, for they must be obeyed from the heart and lived out in purity, not merely taught or agreed with but expressed in a life changed by truth.STBk 80.1+4

Keeping God's law requires its underlying principle of love for God and fellow human beings, not merely outward observance or human rules.STBk 80.1+4 To love God supremely is to obey His law in spirit and letter, showing a covenant relationship and giving Him glory, while profession without supreme love and neighbor love leaves a person selfish, unchanged and without true holiness.STBk 80.1+3 A religious profession or outward form is not acceptable obedience when the heart is withheld and commands are refused, for every person, especially professed Christians, must give God all might, mind and strength.SA 25.3–26.1+2 Profession of faith without this love is hypocrisy, and this love must be practiced, not merely spoken of, for a life that does not obey God's law and love God and neighbor is separated from God and bears no real results.SA 25.3–26.1+2

Supreme love for God is a pure and holy affection and a principle, not a feeling, received from Jesus, taught and fostered by the Holy Spirit, and those led by it are neither unreasonable nor blind.MH 358.4+3 Love for God and neighbor is pure, unselfish, Christlike love, not a feeling but a principle received from Jesus and fostered by the Holy Spirit.MH 358.4+2 Because God is love, the wealth of affection may flow without restraint toward Him, and this love joined with loving neighbor as self is the fulfilling of the law.MH 358.4+2 This love with love for neighbor is the test distinguishing true religion from counterfeit, known by its fruits, revealing love for God and His truth and love for neighbor as self in self-forgetfulness and in deeds of love running like a thread of gold through everyday contact.MH 358.4+2 This love is pure, patient, kind and sympathetic, honors God and brings peace and goodwill among people, while coldness and lack of sympathy are contrary to God.20MR 247.1+2

Love and purity are especially valued by God, and tender sympathy and pity are not weakness but strength derived from Christ.20MR 247.1+2 The command requires the whole heart, soul, mind and strength with complete transformation, and devoting life to worldly interests and self-service violates it.ST Sep 12, 1900+2 Obedience depends on the law written on the heart, and truth as it is in Jesus enables doing good to others, without which love for neighbor also fails.ST Sep 12, 1900+2 It demands deep and abiding love brought into the inner life as the first and greatest claim, not met by busy activity, profession, prayer or touches of religious duty which are only leaves.ST Sep 12, 1900+2 It requires a heart temple cleansed, refined and purified by the indwelling Holy Spirit, true and pure principles cultivated in every phase of character, and fruit in blessing others by life actions and good works done without pay, for to think oneself religiously right while lacking this love is Phariseeism, so each heart must be examined carefully and critically in light of the Word because these principles decide future destiny.Lt 1a, 1872, par. 23+1

Loving God with all the heart is the sum of all righteousness, purity, holiness and perfect benevolence, shown when Christ dwells in the heart supplying a pure current of love, with sanctified reason and intellect ruling, moral taste refined and elevated, passions brought under control, the robe of Christ's righteousness worn, and the gospel lived out in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance in words and deeds.7MR 228.1–2+1 It is the first governing principle of the moral nature that must revolutionize the life, an inward, deep, vital principle that transforms character to Christ's character and brings every faculty of mind and body into subjection to Christ's service as ministers waiting the bidding of a heart fully imbued with the love of Jesus.7MR 228.1–2+1 It comes only where transforming grace is welcomed into the heart with constraining power, giving a new holy affection that takes the place of the old and expels it from the soul temple, so that only those who have it seek God's pleasure instead of their own.7MR 228.1–2+1 The command is a practical test of the heart to love God supremely and neighbors as self.Lt 164, 1909, par. 5–8+3 Loving God supremely means the inner life hid with Christ in God, shown by praying as Christ prayed and searching the Scriptures for oneself more earnestly as the day approaches, giving the whole self to God as a free-will offering that includes all possessions, dispensing means as the Lord's goods and producing fruit in good works, since none can give self without reserve while withholding what they have.Lt 164, 1909, par. 5–8+2

Keeping the commandments and the faith of Jesus requires a cleansed heart made a fit dwelling-place for the Holy Spirit, and supreme love must be shown by words and works, including loving neighbor as self, with holy love to Saviour and one another, being hid with Christ, bound heart to heart by His Spirit, dealing generously and strengthening one another's hands, while discord and strife testify that union with Christ is imperfect.Lt 164, 1909, par. 5–8+3 Love for God and neighbor joined with self-denial and purity of heart marks those who receive heavenly treasures, and a heart cleansed from idols prepares a person to remain faithful through life, death, trials and suffering.Ms 52, 1896, par. 31+2 The command is incompatible with choosing one's own way, will or pleasure and following selfish impulses.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25+4 It requires recognizing that time, service, affection and property belong to God and giving oneself faithfully to Him without selfish reservations, while disobedience and self-rule oppose God's standard and obeying this law of love would guard from evil paths.Lt 69, 1897, par. 23–25+3

Selfishness and placing personal wants above sacred and eternal interests are contrary to these commands and must be overcome, and loving God and neighbor as self is incompatible with selfishness, which calls for self-denial and for spiritual renewal by the Holy Spirit changing heart and life so this love can be lived.ST Apr 11, 1900+4 Loving God supremely joined with loving neighbor as self is the only safe path, taking precedence over self and over trust in self.Lt 120a, 1898, par. 2+3 Whether people so love is shown by their response when tested, and these loves are tests of whether truth is shaping the life and whether self-centered opinions are being set aside.Lt 120a, 1898, par. 2+3 The commandment is tested by how people treat their neighbors, and selfishness, injustice and failure to make restitution show failure to love God supremely and others as themselves.Ms 1, 1895, par. 8–10+2

This first and great commandment is God's standard of obedience given in love to elevate and ennoble humanity, requiring perfection of character and unswerving obedience which sinful man of himself is unable to render.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 19–21+1 Together with unselfish love for others it is the whole duty of fallen humanity and of the human family, encompassing the principles of the Decalogue, with perfect human character shown by supreme love to God and unselfish love to others.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 19–21+1 Shown in Christ's character and life, this great principle of God's law is the only secure foundation for character and the only sure guide for life.RCOC 103.5–6+1 It is to shape people into a reflection of Christ's character while they retain their individuality, and criticism, fault-finding and condemnation contradict that standard.RCOC 103.5–6+1 That love perfected in the human soul sanctifies soul, body and spirit and is the whole duty of man.8MR 336.1

People cannot fulfill these requirements of love to God and neighbor and a meek, humble and holy life by their own strength, but God promises to give what they lack, and through faith in Christ the law's righteousness is fulfilled in them.GC 263.1+1 To love God supremely and one's neighbor as oneself a person must come to Christ and be filled with His love, and under His guidance and control Christians can then have a saving, restoring influence on others.20MR 337.1+1

Neither love can be done by natural temperament, sentiment or human effort, for hereditary and cultivated partialities, selfishness and lust for forbidden things block this love.Ms 63, 1900, par. 3–7 It requires spiritual enlightenment, purification of mind and heart through the Spirit, faith and earnest prayer, and escaping worldly corruption to become partakers of the divine nature.Ms 63, 1900, par. 3–7 Only by divine grace can a person love God supremely and neighbor as self, producing a character born of God that is pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful, fruitful, impartial and without hypocrisy, bearing unfeigned fervent love for one another.Ms 63, 1900, par. 3–7

This twofold love of love to God joined to love to man is lived through the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work, which elevates the moral taste and controls and sanctifies the passions and appetites.Ms 107, 1901, par. 20–22+1 As malice, hatred, jealousy, envy, pride and selfishness are removed, kindness, patience, benevolence, mercy, forgiveness, sympathy, noble feelings and pure purposes take their place, shaping a life of gratitude, humility and self-sacrifice.14MR 84.3–85.1+1 In this way people learn to delight in the law and obey it sincerely, the righteousness of the law is fulfilled, and the fruit of the Spirit is revealed in the life.Ms 107, 1901, par. 20–22+1 Together with love to neighbor it sets the highest standard of Christian character, calling those who preach and teach truth to love God fully with heart, mind and soul and to express it in a sanctified life with controlled appetites, elevated tastes, deep sympathy and pure purposes.ST2 27.2+2

Sanctification through the truth by the Holy Spirit gives a sensitive conscience leading to this twofold love, stripping ambition that contends for supremacy and selfish covetousness that harms others and grasps large wages from the treasury while brethren laboring just as hard under heavy pressure receive little more than half.Ms 94, 1899, par. 5–7+1 Lack of this supreme love to God and love to neighbor proves lack of sanctification, blinds men to depriving others of just wages, makes influence and example detrimental, and left unreformed bars seeing the King in His beauty and decides eternal destiny.1MR 272.1–273.1

Becoming partakers of the divine nature makes a person capable of this love summing up the commandments and the whole duty of man, which was God's purpose in designing the wonderful human structure for companionship with Himself.Lt 115, 1896, par. 12–15 Meeting this love in obedience to His moral standard of righteousness during probationary time is the test deciding destiny.Lt 115, 1896, par. 12–15 Without this love to God and fellow men which Christians preparing for the city built for the pure and holy must show, Christ cannot stamp them with the image of God, restore His attributes in them, or make them partakers of the divine nature.8MR 289.1

Total love with undivided heart, soul and mind and no mixed and uncertain motive is required because God made all there is of a person and gave a complete sacrifice to redeem body and soul, so He wants the whole person and will accept nothing less.RP 19.3–20.1+2 God is entitled to supreme love and entire confidence, and His law requires love to God and to other people, so outward obedience without love is not accepted, and loving God with all the heart gives Him the service that is His due.STB 850.4–851.1+2 Joined to love for neighbor as self, this whole love is the sum of what He requires of those He created and redeemed.RP 19.3–20.1+1 Gatherings for mere amusement that confuse faith and make the motive uncertain, with entangling engagements and binding ties that cripple usefulness, break this command by dividing the heart.RP 19.3–20.1+3

Looking at the cross of Calvary as a standing pledge of the boundless love and measureless mercy of the heavenly Father leads to repentance and doing first works, and when the churches repent they fulfill this supreme love to God and love to neighbors.Ms 84, 1894, par. 7–9 That love heals divisions so envy and strife cease, makes peace, love, mercy and benevolence the abiding principles of the soul, restores first love, makes disciples one even as Christ and the Father are one, regenerates and renews all hearts alike in the image of Christ, and proves to the world that God sent His only begotten Son.Ms 84, 1894, par. 7–9

Jesus perfectly exemplified both principles of God's law, and benevolence and unselfish love were the life of His soul.SC 28.1–2 As light from His life in infinite love and perfect purity falls upon men it reveals the sinfulness and selfishness of their own hearts and moves those longing for something better to ask God for repentance.SC 28.1–2 Christ's pure, sincere love for God together with His love for fallen humanity shows the character His followers are to reflect.Lt 54, 1894, par. 27 Christ's sacrifice saves people from sin rather than giving them license to break God's law.STBk 83.1

Love for God leads to delight in doing His will, and this selfless love is essential to serving and winning others, while gifts, knowledge, eloquence and outward devotion cannot replace it.Ms 22, 1897, par. 9–10 It is kept only by continual, determined resistance and earnest contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, inch by inch, until truth brings the heart into conformity to the will of God.Lt 9, 1896, par. 6–8 Satan works with all his might to prevent spiritual life and to cut human agents off from living connection with the source of all power, fighting over every inch of ground and arraying himself against every decision to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment.Lt 9, 1896, par. 6–8

Wholehearted love for God with love to neighbor is the highest standard for human life, seen in a life shaped by Christ's indwelling presence.Lt 138, 1899, par. 12+1 The first and great commandment is fulfilled in the one who loves God with all the heart and loves neighbor as self, and that love perfected in the soul is revealed through sanctification of soul, body and spirit as the whole duty of man.8MR 336.1+1 Achieving this victory is the gospel's aim, calling for growth in every good work and steady practical advancement without despising the day of small things, and those who meet this standard are to learn meekness and humility from Christ, with purity and love marking those born of God.8MR 336.1+2

Doing this love brings life, for it answers what must be done to inherit eternal life.ST Oct 2, 1901 Obedience to both loves — supreme love to God joined with unselfish love to neighbor — is the only hope and the condition of eternal life.Ms 13, 1897, par. 15+1 Choosing this way brings clearer, higher and holier conceptions of God, of eternity and of obedience, and makes God one's strength and portion forever.Ms 13, 1897, par. 15 This love must shape heart and character at all times and in every place, rather than coexist with greater concern for selfish interests.Ms 14, 1888, par. 26–28

True love is shown by obedience as a family of obedient children with filial fear rather than slavish fear, walking in the light when duty is pointed out.Ms 39, 1886, par. 4+1 Reward is promised to the obedient and punishment to the disobedient.Ms 39, 1886, par. 4+1 To decree God's law unworthy to be kept makes one His enemy, and to claim love without obedience shows love is not perfected.Ms 39, 1886, par. 4+1 Probation is given to test willingness to see duty and walk in harmony with His requirements, for God will not compel obedience.Ms 39, 1886, par. 4+1

Fulfilling these two principles brings light and joy and peace and gladness into life.21MR 279.1 It shows preparedness for the inheritance of the saints in light, makes word, spirit and action a true representation of Christ, and makes one rich for all eternity.21MR 279.1 Keeping the command gives greater strength as sons and daughters of God, higher standing, growth in knowledge of the truth, and more divine light to shine forth in good works to all around.2MR 123.2–127.2 Want of this love to God and to one another shows want in soul and experience, absence of the Spirit of Christ, and works not pleasing to God.2MR 123.2–127.2

The verse sets God's exact spiritual measure of a person and the whole duty of man.Ms 62, 1886, par. 27–29 God puts that law into the least of acts and dealings, so that by learning and living it the heart and affections are elevated, ennobled and sanctified.Ms 62, 1886, par. 27–29 Faithfulness in the least prepares for living and ruling among the greatest, for being entrusted with the divine cause.Ms 62, 1886, par. 27–29 Taking the power and grace brought through Jesus Christ, one by the will of God builds character after the divine model for the glory to be revealed.Ms 62, 1886, par. 27–29

The great end of the law is achieved and the Lord is glorified when this love is manifested, which is glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to men.Lt 18, 1890, par. 18–20 This love is the living principle of brotherhood implanted in human hearts by the work of the Holy Spirit from age to age.Lt 18, 1890, par. 18–20 It leaves no nook or corner of the soul as a hiding place for selfishness.Lt 18, 1890, par. 18–20 It brings heaven's order, plan, divine harmony, wisdom and mercy into every family, church and institution.Lt 18, 1890, par. 18–20

Heavenly treasures of immortal value are given only to those who keep the command.Lt 113, 1893, par. 18–22 Keeping it means entire surrender to God, denying self and making any sacrifice rather than live without His presence and favor.Lt 113, 1893, par. 18–22 It means standing before God with a heart cleansed from every idol and a conscience void of offense.Lt 113, 1893, par. 18–22 Clinging to idols, loving money and things that minister to selfish gratification, choosing one's own way, losing faith and love, and binding in close connection with those who have no love for God break this commandment.Lt 113, 1893, par. 18–22

The verse calls for faithful obedience today, resisting temptation through Christ's grace and living in readiness for Christ's coming.Ms 11, 1885, par. 2–4 Keeping God's commandments even amid the difficulties of a fallen world is required, and Christ's victory over the world gives reason not to be discouraged.20MR 283.1+1 Such love, loving God supremely together with loving neighbor as self, is essential to being saved in God's kingdom.Ms 33, 1894, par. 19 Whoever so loves is keeping the commandments of God, and such obedience is the path of wisdom and peace begun in the fear of the Lord, holding firm amid the annoyances of a fallen world because Christ has overcome the world.Lt 113, 1893, par. 1–10

God has made rich provisions for those who love Him, desires everyone to benefit from them, and invites all to share His glory.ST Sep 19, 1895 The bliss of heaven is provided for every soul who loves God supremely and fellow men as self.ST Sep 19, 1895 Those who love God supremely and neighbor as themselves can walk the narrow way to heaven.Lt 68, 1903, par. 4–6

It requires seeking and serving the Lord with all heart, might, mind and strength, which when perfectly done through grace makes one complete in Christ.Lt 11, 1892, par. 4–9 Without decided change and thorough conversion, even talking the truth is only as sounding brass.Lt 11, 1892, par. 4–9 Failure is to be weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and pronounced wanting at the grand review, which is to be wanting forever with no second probation and no time then to prepare, while the pure in heart shall see God.Lt 11, 1892, par. 4–9

Loving God supremely is shown in daily life through unselfish deeds and care for others.Lt 6, 1885, par. 6–10 Keeping it together with loving neighbor fulfills the law.Lt 6, 1885, par. 6–10 So kept, it would have made a person a blessing to the Health Retreat, able to help in connection with others and to use means for God's instrumentality instead of acting against it.Lt 8, 1890, par. 29–30

Love of money and selfish pursuit of gain break the first and great commandment by turning the heart toward the world instead of God, and faithful use of possessions to do good, help the needy and advance God's cause belongs to loving Him.2T 227.2–228.1+1 The rich young man's love of wealth was supreme, so he could not love God with all heart, soul and mind; his possessions became an idol that kept him from God and eternal treasure.SG2 240.2–241.1+1 That idolatrous love also blinded him to fellow men, so failure of the first commandment brought failure of the second, and keeping it requires breaking away from riches, transferring affection to God, and using goods for the needy and for God.RH Nov 26, 1857+1 Keeping wholehearted love to God cannot be separated from loving neighbor as self, for the young man's selfish attachment to riches and failure to share with the poor showed he did not keep the commandments fully.4T 49.3–50.1

No one who loves riches better than God, fellow men or truth can keep the commandment, for supreme love for riches sets the heart on earthly treasure and forces a choice between worldly possession and heavenly treasure and eternal life.1T 172.1–3 With God it is possible, because truth pressed home by the Spirit crowds out love of riches, since love for Jesus and love for riches cannot dwell in the same heart.1T 172.1–3 When love to God far surpasses love to riches the possessor breaks away from riches, transfers affection to God, holds all as not his own, faithfully discharges duty as God's steward, ministers to the wants of God's cause, blesses the needy, and finds highest pleasure in rightly disposing the Lord's goods to advance His work.1T 172.1–3 Worshiping wealth and worldly gain and sacrificing conscience to obtain them is idolatry violating the command, and those who love the world and have no love for God or neighbors fail to keep the great commandments.2T 440.1 This love is shown by valuing God above gold, display, extravagance, luxuries and ornaments, leading to sharing with and caring for others and to eternal reward.ST Jun 25, 1894

Keeping the commandment requires returning a tenth of all increase and using wealth as a bounty lent by God to do good and supply the necessities of needy brethren rather than accumulating great treasures for self.2T 227.2–228.1+1 The rich man who withheld the tenth, stored goods until he lacked room, tore down barns to build greater, and failed to give disregarded the principles of God's law, while right use would have laid up treasure in heaven in good works.3T 546.1 Every penny spent shows whether a person loves God supremely and neighbor as self, for all possessed belongs to God and is accountable to Him, and taking advantage of others for personal gain violates these commands and will be judged.3T 246.1+1 Giving resources to support God's work shows supreme love in practical action, and helping others through that work expresses love for neighbor.CH 525.2

Money, possessions, time, talents and opportunities are entrusted gifts to be used without selfishness or pride, and those who so love receive the richest reward.Lt 132, 1898, par. 7–9+1 Giving means to sustain God's work is a practical expression of loving God supremely and neighbor as self, shown also by faithful unselfish stewardship that uses entrusted possessions to support His cause, save the lost, bless others and honor Him rather than indulge selfish desires.16MR 346.4–347.1+2 Joined to neighbor love, this love gives the whole self to God as a free-will offering including all possessions, dispensing means as the Lord's goods and producing fruit in good works, since none can give self without reserve while withholding what is held.Ms 52, 1896, par. 31 It is shown by Christian liberality — communicating bounties freely given to those with fewer temporal blessings, with kindly words accompanied by deeds of love to win hearts, accepted as well-pleasing sacrifice, and marking all who belong to Christ's kingdom as one family.RH Feb 18, 1902

The command governs unselfish use of entrusted money to support work in different parts of the world rather than selfish plans benefiting only self or one place.Ms 23, 1887, par. 10+1 This is shown practically by putting money held in banks into circulation to establish institutions in destitute fields ripe for harvest, and by giving entrusted resources to support God's work and meet human need as practical care for neighbor.STB 417.2+1 How every penny is spent shows whether one loves God supremely and neighbor as self, and joined with neighbor love it leads to working righteousness and treating entrusted wealth faithfully, while using it for selfish purposes and leaving God out fails the test and love of money leads to evil.MYP 310.1–2+1 Hoarding wealth for selfish ends and withholding help does not love God wholeheartedly nor neighbor as self, and refusing aid one could give to orphans, widows and the poor is charged as robbery toward God and brings judgment.ST Sep 10, 1912 Earthly riches have value when used for others' good and God's glory, but must not become portion, god or savior, for love for God is tested in how wealth is used and whether neighbors are loved as self.5T 261.1

Supreme love to God and impartial love to others must govern every line of work and every business transaction, requiring equity, kindness, compassion and tender regard for the erring and needy.Ms 140, 1901, par. 46–51 It forbids selfishness, injustice, oppression, double-dealing, seeking advantage or large wages, and letting business interests crowd out love, and where it is not a living acting influence, profession without heart practice leaves character molded after man rather than after Christ.Ms 140, 1901, par. 46–51 Together with neighbor love it shows selfish ambition and excessive charges violate God's law, love must shape business conduct, and dishonest practices make one unfit for Christ's kingdom.Ms 70, 1899, par. 13 Mingling human wisdom with the divine, confusing minds about right and holy methods in business, and unjustly acquiring means at another's expense breaks the commandment and proves the law unlearned, calling for cleansing of the soul temple.Ms 26, 1899, par. 29–30 The law is perverted when professed servants act selfishly and deal treacherously; its principles require workers to build up every part of God's work rather than rob one part to strengthen another.Lt 58, 1901, par. 22–23

The command requires undivided affection, not affection divided between God and mammon.Lt 3, 1878, par. 1 Keeping it excludes dishonest principles, greed for advantage, scheming in buying and selling, looking out for the main chance, and buying below value to sell above value without considering others.Lt 3, 1878, par. 1 Lacking this love leaves dishonest principles to contend against, brings spiritual injury, makes a man unfit to advance God's cause and correctly represent faith, and brings poverty unless thoroughly converted.Lt 3, 1878, par. 1 Its principle must govern every part of daily life including business and financial decisions and must not be displaced by pursuit of money or personal interests, and observing minor religious duties is not enough if weightier matters of love for God and neighbor are neglected.Lt 21, 1901, par. 38+1 It is disobeyed by selfishness, unfair dealing and using the Lord's money for personal indulgence instead of advancing His work, which cannot be reconciled with Christ's principles, and followers including those responsible for sacred work and business must put love for God and neighbors ahead of financial interests and not let business crowd out love.Lt 21, 1901, par. 38+1 Love for God must have first place, love of wealth, business or status cannot displace it, neighbor love rules out selfishness and grasping, and religious principles apply in business as in every other part of life.ST Oct 2, 1901+1

Workers in trust must empty hearts of selfishness, humble themselves, study equality, practice economy and self-denial, and be content with lower wages.1MR 271.2–4 Taking large unrighteous wages from the treasury while equally faithful fellow laborers in harder fields receive half, while unworked destitute fields need means to lift the standard of truth, is forbidden; kept truly the command opens eyes to the worldwide work and withholds hands from using means designed for new places.1MR 271.2–4 Breaking it brings reversal in final rewards, where those placing high estimate on their own merits are regarded as least, while earnest faithful unselfish workers on small wages receive the highest reward from Him who makes no false estimate.1MR 271.2–4 Those receiving excessive wages should consider equally faithful fellow workers and support destitute fields with means needed to spread the gospel, acting justly and unselfishly rather than taking money intended for work elsewhere.Ms 113, 1899, par. 14–17 Those who love God do not take unjustly from the Lord's treasury nor value their own service above harder work of others, but through the Spirit's sanctifying work with sensitive consciences turn from selfish covetousness toward justice, self-denial and concern for others.Ms 142, 1903, par. 100–103 This love must shape practical plans and work, ruling out selfishness, covetousness and keeping resources under one's own control, and leading stewards to share with fellow workers in need.Lt 10, 1899, par. 1–12

A physician who exploits an afflicted patient for excessive payment acts from selfishness and greed, showing he does not love God supremely or neighbor as himself, and such conduct directly opposes God's law.Ms 63, 1899, par. 28–29 The command is proved by workers whose work is free from selfishness and pride as the Lord constantly proves them, who hold however large any income, possessions, profit, pay, time, talents or opportunities only as stewards in trust to be accounted for to Him who gives all.RH Apr 18, 1912+2 Those who so prove it give themselves to proclaiming the last message of mercy to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, unfurling truth before a perishing world, giving the Bible to the people, multiplying camp-meetings, warning the cities and sending the warning far and near, and they will have the richest reward.RH Apr 18, 1912 Every movement must be true to God and maintain His law's principles, applied to practical financial faithfulness such as refusing large expense that would bring an unbearable burden, avoiding deeper debt, and doing all possible to become free from debt.21MR 439.7–440.1

This first and great commandment calls for the whole person — might, mind, and strength — and cannot be lived without self-denial, ruling the spirit, resisting fault-finding, exercising patience, faithfully carrying responsibilities, and doing good even without recognition.4T 521.1–2+1 It sets a high standard that makes perfection of character and continual pressing toward conformity to God's will the life-work, meaning ruling the spirit when passion strives for mastery, resisting censure, having patience with the dull and trying, standing at duty when others fail, lifting burdens wherever duty requires not for applause or policy but for the Master, doing good when inclination would serve self, and working patiently and cheerfully for others even when unappreciated.ST Apr 30, 1902

Its high requirement includes fitness to serve God and people, so knowingly following harmful habits that weaken body and mind makes service unacceptable and falls short.ST Feb 17, 1888 Care for the body is a personal duty and obligation to God, requiring preservation of best health so all powers may be dedicated to His service to His glory, while indifference to and ignorance of the laws of being is sin and needlessly injuring the constitution by wrong habits dishonors God and makes acceptable service impossible while diseased physically and mentally.RH Oct 17, 1871 Keeping it conscientiously requires using all powers God has given and retaining health, for failing to use mind and body in proportion undermines health and the ability to keep God's commandments.Lt 145, 1897, par. 22–23+1 Proportionate taxation of mind and body, exercise in agricultural pursuits and various labor, and faithful work with God's glory in view safeguard against undue brain taxation, impure thoughts and actions, and loss of health and clear conscience, since pure thoughts and actions depend on how studies are conducted and conscientious actions depend on conscientious thinking.11MR 174.1–4

It means giving God the whole heart and highest place so His honor comes before self-gratification and other claims, shown in service, loyalty, self-denial, and putting the needs of God's house before personal enjoyment.6T 103.3–4 Giving resources to support God's work shows that supreme love in practical action, and helping others through that work expresses love for neighbor as self.CH 525.2 Love to God is first and supreme, owed as obedience to the specifications of the moral law, to be taught to youth together with valuing themselves as bought with a price and with loving neighbor as self, a love wrought in God which when lived by teachers with cheerfulness, hope, and happiness that pleases without indulging impresses even opposing, stubborn, sullen children.11MR 40.3–41.2 It means no one is to take glory to himself no matter how responsible his position, but to follow Jesus' example, remembering true success comes from God alone and every particle of praise and glory belongs to Him.21MR 399.4–400.1

It rules out making self or one's opinions supreme and calls for practiced humility, with meekness and humility learned from Christ, and purity and love marking those born of God and knowing Him.Ms 41, 1894, par. 8–9+1 Pride and self-love oppose this love, while Christ's gospel sanctifies the soul and drives self-love out, and the first four commandments set out duty to God where loving God supremely leads to loving neighbor as self.9T 211.4+1 Loving God with supreme devotion is the greatest height of excellence attainable, requiring laying selfishness, worldly ambition, self-gratification, and covetousness in the dust and giving up selfish scheming, for cherished covetousness eats away manliness and nobility and refusing to put it away in this life loses heaven with no second trial.Ms 53, 1906, par. 4

It requires every true Christian to cut away meanness, selfishness, and lack of faith, trust and benevolence, shown in upright conduct, moral integrity, and love of honesty for its own sake with divine aid to keep a clear conscience and God's approval amid temptation.ST Feb 7, 1884+1 For those handling sacred interests it means being noble-spirited, whole-hearted, sympathizing, liberal, tender and unselfish, elevated above littleness and cheapness and desire for business advantage, with no scheming of one branch against another and no taking advantage in conferences, institutions, or against one another.Ms 139, 1897, par. 27–28 That love practices no robbery toward God or man and lives the law in strictest integrity on all occasions, coming from living communion with the only true God and bringing a living Saviour's presence, making a man a blessing to the church by cherishing love toward brethren and manifesting confidence to strengthen them, made complete in Him who gave His life.Ms 46, 1894, par. 16

It means doing faithfully the work assigned without asking whether it brings much or little, rendering small humble services, improving little opportunities, doing the work that offers and accepting offered wages rather than refusing for low pay or waiting idle for desired wages.Ms 20, 1896, par. 2–3+1 Character is judged by principles acted on with fellow men, so defective principles in common dealings are woven into the whole religious life and service for God.Ms 20, 1896, par. 2–3 It is the first and highest claim on life to be developed through Christ's grace during probation with the light of His word and mental faculties capable of highest cultivation, proved by faithfulness even in least temporal matters, for walking in one's own way by impulse makes one an unfaithful steward unfit for smallest trusts here and unable to be trusted with eternal interests.TEPD 69.1+1

It should be shown in conversation and actions together with love for one another, by following Christ's example and living out the law's principles in daily life.3T 52.2–3+2 Doing every duty faithfully as service to the Lord joins duty to God with duty to people and makes even humble work part of a life shaped by reverence for God.ST Nov 3, 1881 Love for God must appear in daily conduct in words and actions, treating every person regardless of race or status with kindness and concern for the soul, and a heart softened by grace expresses it through love and tenderness toward others.Lt 16a, 1895, par. 11+1 Keeping God's law includes loving God and others, while criticism, condemnation, suspicion, and complaint break that law and offend God, so sensitivity should turn on whether one is keeping or breaking His commandments.Ms 14, 1903, par. 39 Loving God means refusing to weaken or discourage another, acting instead with love that purifies the heart from envy, hatred, evil suspicion, and false accusation, while harmful words and actions show one has left this love.Ms 63, 1903, par. 10–14

It gives the underlying principle for heart, home, and church, joined with love for neighbor, and makes love to God with love to neighbor the foundation of companionship that can bring blessing in the future world.Ms 184, 1898, par. 44+1 The soul living for God gives Him best and highest affections, and when love is greatest toward the One who died for it, love between spouses follows heaven's order.MYP 451.2–3 Love must remain an abiding principle guiding treatment of others including children, to be continually cultivated together with love for one another, bringing gladness and preserving peace amid trials.Lt 63, 1902, par. 8–9+1 Love for God is expressed in love for spouse with self-love set aside, appearing in thoughts, words, and actions as respect and consideration.Lt 15, 1884, par. 10–11 The paired command tests whether the spirit is controlled by love, bearing on fitness for heaven and ability to make a spouse happy.Lt 25, 1885, par. 8–9 Both loves are to shape conduct in kindness, faithfulness, and forbearance within marriage, and obedience to the law does not excuse harshness.Lt 16, 1888, par. 48–51

Loving God supremely is God's claim upon children and their duty to carry religion into every department of life, taught by mothers along with loving neighbor through the little courtesies essential to happiness.Ms 2, 1877, par. 27 Family members should devote hearts, minds, souls, and resources to God rather than use money to gratify selfish desires, for helping others indulge selfishness does not honor God or express true neighborly love.Lt 170, 1899, par. 16–17 It establishes love for God as highest duty alongside love for neighbor and grounds obedience to the moral law, and children and youth are to be taught this duty through God's Word, not human rules, as they are prepared to serve Christ.Lt 117, 1898, par. 6–7+1 Love for God and for one another should be encouraged from childhood, where tender affection is not weakness and generous loving impulses help children develop the tender spirit of Jesus and sympathy, with divine love melting selfishness and hardness.DA 516.1

It is the real essence of education, called Higher Education, where learning to read the Bible intelligently gives knowledge from the Word of the living God of how to keep it, and upon supreme love to God and love to neighbor hang all the law and the prophets, so any education superseding or dismissing this is not of God.Ms 54, 1896, par. 4–5 This love is gained through hard study laying the foundation for real knowledge, teaching how to read the Bible intelligently and obtain knowledge from the Word.8MR 251.1 Giving every power of body, mind, and soul to God is the highest development of the whole person and restores God's image, expressing love as the basis of God's law and true education.ST Apr 21, 1909 Education and intellectual development have value only when guided by right principles and used to honor God and benefit humanity.RH Aug 22, 1912 It requires putting whole trust in the living God as dependence and trust, seeking wisdom from God not men, ceasing from man and refusing to place confidence in finite erring ministers, refusing to look to one man to think and be conscience and make messages of none effect, but standing in direct personal relation to God allowing no one to interfere, which God's people must still learn.Lt 14, 1891, par. 31–32

True belief always shows itself by refining and uplifting heart and life, balancing conscience, purifying heart, and producing love to God and man, for doctrine that is truth kills sin, purifies from defilement, and bears fruit unto holiness.Ms 106, 1894, par. 10 Right faith is known when benevolence, kindness, tenderheartedness and sympathy appear, when joy of right-doing fills the heart, and when Christ is exalted not self, while earthly talk, impure conversation, harshness and Phariseeism, partiality and hypocrisy show faith after the order of him who delights in evil.Ms 106, 1894, par. 10 It means complete obedience in supreme love to God and selfless love to others, where failure to love so is disobedience shutting God's power out of labor, and obeying opens His power to be revealed, ends tearing and devouring character, and enables believers to turn over a new leaf and strengthen one another.Ms 50, 1894, par. 16–19 Together with loving neighbor as self it brings the whole person — body, mind, and soul — into harmony with God and is joined with a freedom crowned with glory.Lt 130, 1902, par. 38–39 It shows the importance of devotion to God and placing spiritual and eternal interests above selfish worldly ones, for the claims of God and others call for a life of service and sympathy.PP 541.1

It is the personal work each must do for herself that no one else can do if she is to enter heaven, meaning putting God first by becoming self-forgetful, patient, unmurmuring and thankful, overcoming peculiarities, excuses and perversity of temper which is Satan's temptation, with the grace given to a Bible Christian.Lt 25, 1882, par. 11–13 Inseparably joined to loving neighbor as self, it means being as considerate for others as for self, putting self in others' place and making their case one's own, sharing life's disagreeable little duties somebody must do, forgetting self in interest in others' happiness and lightening burdens instead of being wrapped in selfishness.Lt 25, 1882, par. 11–13 Through faith in Christ this obedience makes one strong, self-reliant and useful, a blessing and help rather than a load, with Jesus presiding in the soul temple and all things after God's order.Lt 25, 1882, par. 11–13

Together with love for others as self, supreme love to God is the church's perpetual life, and along with love for one another it is a great principle that binds people in unity with one another and brings them into oneness with Christ in God, while rejecting these principles opens the way to discord and selfishness.SPBC 153.1+1 When lived by individual members it produces oneness in Christ as a natural result without labored effort, and it shuts the ears to injurious reports, stops taking up reproach against a neighbor, and leads church members to cherish love and unity as one great family.11MR 266.2+2 That love and unity bears divine credentials to the world testifying that God sent His Son, and the unity of God's children acknowledges the divinity of Christ.11MR 266.2 It binds God's family together in sympathy and affection, making believers one in Christ rather than divided by walls of separation, and those who love God supremely and neighbor as self are to put away a separating spirit, work in unity under Christ, and not judge or condemn one another, following Jesus' example when sanctified by His grace.RH Apr 3, 1900+1 It unites believers in order and harmony under the divine head.Lt 20, 1901, par. 24–26

Supreme love for God produces love for neighbors as themselves and makes believers closely united in heart and purpose, fulfilling Christ's prayer that they might be one.13MR 143.2 When these principles are obeyed, one is bound to God through perfect obedience, which the Holy Spirit enables by teaching self-denial and faithful service.Lt 48, 1902, par. 25–27 God's law is necessary to bind people to Him, and when love for God is cherished in the heart, love for those Christ purchased with His blood will also be seen, calling for supreme love and loyalty to God.Ms 150, 1899, par. 49 Together with love for neighbor, the command gives the principle that binds believers together and moves them to preserve God's love in their hearts and fulfill individual responsibilities in the church.Ms 165, 1907, par. 8–9 Love to God comprises duty to God while love to neighbor comprises duty to one another, and mutual love must be cherished at all times, in all places and under all circumstances as an abiding principle that roots out dissensions and divisions, guards one another's interests, and bears witness that God sent His Son to die to bring back the moral image of God in man, while cherishing selfishness, dwelling on differences of opinion, exalting self, and speaking of others' ideas with disregard and contempt is the opposite of Christian charity and a breach of this law.Lt 11, 1887, par. 8

It is God's voice to every person calling for practical godliness rather than formalism, including mercy, tender care, courtesy, sympathy, courage and hope toward the burdened and oppressed.RH Apr 1, 1915+1 God's law rejects selfishness and requires kindness, gentleness, patience, and care for others' interests, and failing to show love through kind words and actions violates its final six commandments and cannot be called acceptable service to God.ST Mar 11, 1897 Obeying these commands fully removes discord in church and family, for outward religious forms or knowing truth intellectually are not enough without inner grace and a heart cleansed of idols.ST Sep 11, 1879 This love engaging heart, soul, strength and mind shapes people into a reflection of Christ's character while they retain individuality, and criticism, fault-finding and condemnation contradict that standard.RCOC 103.5–6 True obedience must be lived out rather than merely professed, leading also to love and practical care for neighbor.ST Mar 3, 1887

True holiness is wholehearted service to God shown by keeping His commandments and loving others, honoring God's law and extending to all humanity.Lt 65, 1897, par. 5–6 Love for God and neighbor calls for care and wisdom toward others, kindness and attention, help in their needs, relief for the oppressed, and encouragement, and when means are available to relieve people in need there should be no uncertainty about acting.18MR 231.1 The law is fulfilled not by profession or claims to piety but by practical righteousness in serving as God's helping hand and quickly relieving needs regardless of religious belief, which is everyone's duty and true missionary work.RH Apr 9, 1908 This love is shown through willing service to God and concern for others in helping people stand for eternal truth and guiding them toward Christ and heaven.ST Sep 15, 1887 Caring for people in need is love to God as well as to neighbor, for every person who needs help is a neighbor and should be treated as we would want to be treated.COS 70.4–5 Loving God supremely and fellow people as self calls for practical work to save and serve the neglected, including teaching and helping them where they are and seeking their salvation through compassionate service.SBAWP 54.3–55.1+1

Obedience includes loving fellow people through practical help, with the good Samaritan's example showing no one is excused and help should be given promptly without first asking about beliefs.Lt 53, 1905, par. 14 It is shown in every action by bringing light and blessing to those in darkness, comforting the downcast, and bringing comfort rather than bitterness to fellow pilgrims, through influence and care for others.Ms 83, 1903, par. 31+1 This love belongs with love for neighbor and is shown in practical godliness such as caring for the poor and suffering, welcoming orphans into the home, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless and freeing the oppressed.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16 Such care is the church's own responsibility, not work to be handed to institutions or done by proxy, and self-denial and self-sacrifice make Christlike character visible.Ms 105, 1899, par. 14–16 Loving God supremely and neighbor as self expresses the whole duty of humanity and is put into practice through unselfish service including feeding, clothing, teaching and personally helping others, for mere words or profession without such action leaves the Word undone.Ms 6, 1897, par. 14–16 It is shown by making God's will one's own, following Christ's example, and serving others with self-sacrifice, and helping those in need demonstrates love for both God and fellow beings.Ms 24, 1904, par. 17–18

Living out that love by treating others as one wishes to be treated puts a person where God can reveal Himself, brings divine approval, and makes love complete, and such people receive grace and truth from God and pass on light and salvation so their work and prayers bear fruit in holiness to everlasting life.2T 550.3 Loving neighbor as self joined to it is the work of a truly converted person and the grandest missionary service, as Christ works through the Spirit to enable sharing this love, which is pure and undefiled religion.Lt 21, 1894, par. 19 Supreme love to God makes salvation of souls the first and highest thought, taking hold of the work as God's workers and revealing love in mercy, benevolence and tenderest pity for all, which gives power to truth and leaves no limit to plans.Ms 89, 1901, par. 3 Each believer has individual responsibility to work for others' salvation, giving body, soul and spirit with Christ's self-denial, and serving God and seeking His kingdom should take first place in work and life.Ms 19, 1900, par. 22+1 Loving God supremely is the first work and true test God has given, as opposed to little man-made tests, and doing it produces love for neighbor as treating every human being as a soul Christ died to save, putting away pettishness, laboring for souls who know not truth, seeking the lost sheep, going into regions beyond, praying with sinners and carrying the burden of souls instead of only sermonizing.Ms 149, 1901, par. 20–22

Joined with love for neighbor, wholehearted love for God marks the person who shines as a light in the world.8MR 404.1 It makes a person a light expressed in humility and love in presenting truth as it is in Jesus without sweeping denunciation, in piety, devotion and Christlikeness drawing others, in communicating received knowledge of truth, in lifting up Jesus the Redeemer, and in holding forth the Word of life.Ms 152, 1897, par. 4 Keeping it together with loving neighbor keeps life from being narrow and makes it broad and influential, giving a wide field to use ability and influence.MH 153.1 Together they are shown in a life of devotion shining as a light and call for faith, purity and Christlike character.ACSMHFP 12.3–4+1 This duty requires the American nation to show love to the colored race and make restitution for past wrongs, with even those who did not actively enforce slavery responsible to remove as far as possible its lasting effects.SW 74.1 Joined with impartial love to neighbor it calls Christians to remove racial prejudice and care for people harmed and neglected by slavery, and obedience with impartial love brings down walls of racial prejudice and separation.SW 54.1+1

Loving God supremely and neighbor as self means caring for the living — widow, fatherless, sick and poor — rather than lavishing time, money and labor on monuments to the dead while neglecting enjoined duties.DA 617.3–618.2 Love for God must be shown in daily conduct in words and actions by treating every person regardless of race or status with kindness and concern for the soul.Lt 16a, 1895, par. 11 Keeping it draws people to God and separates them from the world, its elements, pleasures, friendship, and friendship with Belial, requiring trust in God alone and pressing on without fear in obedience, with idols that divide affections and take supreme love to be sacrificed and put away.1T 289.1+1 Gatherings for mere amusement that confuse faith and make motive uncertain break it by dividing the heart, as do entangling engagements and binding ties that cripple usefulness, for God who made all there is of a person and gave a complete sacrifice to redeem body and soul wants the whole person and accepts no divided heart, mixed motive, or anything less.SG4 235.3–4+3 It must be brought into the sanctuary of the soul and not left as a dead letter, for where disobeyed truth has not entered the heart, and breaking it misrepresents Christ's character, betrays His cause, puts Him to open shame and lies against the truth, showing one has left first love and must remember whence fallen, repent and do first works or have the candlestick removed, keeping it meaning not benefiting self at another's disadvantage, esteeming others better than self, doing to others as one would have them do, and refusing any ring conniving at evil even when trivial.1MR 215.2–216.1

Obedience makes visible that God's law is a law of love to God and people, and faith working by love purifies the soul from selfishness.7T 146.2 Keeping it restores the divine image by constant beneficence which God honors wherever seen, shown in Christ's self-denial for truth, and obedient lives give worldlings convincing evidence that the commandments are love.STB 176.5–177.1 It means entire conformity to God's will, which is the great work of making calling and election sure by ceasing to watch others and being jealous over self, producing sanctification through truth in perfect trust in God shown by blessing others through godly example, cheerfulness, fortitude, courage, faith, hopefulness and joy.1T 710.1 Joined with love for neighbor it brings brightness to one's path and helps those nearby avoid stumbling.Lt 252, 1903, par. 1–2 It directs people to glorify the Creator through treatment of others, and respecting rights with warmth and affection obeys God's law, while cold distant treatment fails to show owed love.4T 548.1+2 This love expels selfishness, frees the soul from bondage and fear, and leads people to help restore others rather than discourage or reject them.Lt 115, 1902, par. 22–28 Those who truly love God love one another, respect principles binding the human family, live Christlike lives proving sonship, and united in order and harmony under the divine head reveal heaven's principles, which none failing in it can enter to see.Ms 97, 1901, par. 19–21

Love to God and humanity is the spring of life where Christ's love abides, producing growing refinement and carrying out God's purpose.GW 282.4 Understanding responsibility to God and others depends on true connection with the Lamb of God with continual intellectual and moral growth fulfilling the Creator's purpose.CH 258.2 A profession without supreme love for God and neighbor leaves a person selfish, unchanged and without holiness, while genuine faith brings Christ into daily life and transforms conduct.RH Feb 26, 1901 Self-serving lives and claims of fellowship denied by selfish conduct, including using the Lord's money for self-indulgence instead of advancing His work, show it has not been lived.ST Aug 7, 1893+1 Church members who do not love God supremely or neighbor as self can become dangerous snares to the church, and without this love peace departs, showing what selfishness lacks.5T 477.1+1 Institutions and individuals must not be self-centered but use what they receive to help those in greater need, and such unselfish love is clearest evidence of sincere obedience and allegiance to Christ.7T 145.2–3 Loving God rather than self supremely reverses self-love by using savings from health reform for others' good and consecrating them to God in thanks.LS 387.1

A Christian governed by supreme love must not act by worldly standards or pursue self-interest through any arrangement weakening usefulness, harming influence, or undermining another's confidence in God's work.5T 479.3+1 It is fulfilled when stewards use money unselfishly to advance work in all parts of the world, studying to invest means so plants producing abiding fruit are set out in different places and binding about selfish plans helping only self and one's own place, so institutions are a spectacle to world, angels and men.Ms 23a, 1887, par. 10 Loving God supremely and neighbor as self leads to giving self wholly to God, treating possessions as entrusted goods used in good works.Lt 44, 1894, par. 26–28 Together with love to neighbor it governs how medical institutions relate, so setting up another institution close to the Lord's sanitarium to draw patients away violates this love, especially when one upholds health reform while the other allows flesh-meat indulgence, and keeping it requires conversion, fair Christlike dealing, harmonizing with neighbors, or going elsewhere where openings abound.STB 226.1–2 Establishing a competing medical institution close to another was contrary to these commands because it failed to show love for God and neighbor.Lt 219, 1905, par. 6–8

It is the basis of true religion joined to love for neighbor equal to love for self, for love for Christ leads one to love those for whom He died.4T 353.2–3 The disciples' religion is founded on love to God rather than outward observances, and love to God leads to love for one another, with true worship full of gratitude, humility, long-suffering, self-sacrifice, forbearance, mercy and forgiveness extending influence, leading to usefulness and sanctifying life.Ms 80, 1896, par. 6 Joined with loving neighbor as Christ has loved, it fulfills divine law as genuine religion bringing sanctifying influence into all one thinks, says and does, with heart kept free from every selfish scheme and all selfish threads purged from any business transaction and line of service.21MR 55.2+1 Christ's life and character represented both principles, and love of the law is reflected in warm abiding interest and sincere respect for others, while evil thoughts, harmful speech and tearing down reputation violate that love, for those loving God supremely do not wound others but love as Christ loved.Ms 19, 1894, par. 14+1 This love is received by maintaining closest connection with God as pure springs and fountainhead of light, living hourly in contact and earnest communion, putting tastes, appetites, habits and passions under the Spirit, planting truth, righteousness and mercy in the heart, and giving depth of piety, discernment and enlightenment needed in the last days to decide righteously in great questions of humanity, morals and religion, with faith, meekness, temperance, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, love, joy and peace as fruit.Lt 75, 1886, par. 9–11

Keeping these commandments means learning Christ's meekness and lowliness and wearing His yoke, enabling fulfillment of the covenant to love God and neighbor.Lt 178, 1899, par. 16 Those who not only know and teach but practice this love prove true under test and will be called higher as citizens of heaven, shown in esteeming others better than self, living soberly, righteously and godly, refusing fraud and covered iniquity, and subjecting thoughts and passions to Christ so affections are purified.Ms 25, 1892, par. 32–35 It is the motive making ministry devoted and efficient, which matters greatly because God carries His work forward through human agencies, and a minister inspired by grace and actuated by this love is a great power for good, far more successful than one indifferent and slack.STA 20.1 It is the first principle of truth those teaching others must themselves learn, calling preachers to love God fully and neighbor as self with elevated tastes, controlled appetites, deep sympathy and pure purposes, that they may be laborers together with God sanctified by truth.ST2 27.2+2 Workers are instead to follow Christ's followers' rule of loving God supremely and neighbor as self rather than their own ideas or sinking individuality in any living being.4MR 411.1–2 It is the foundation for consecrated loving service expected of Sabbath-school teachers, applies to workers whose lives show supreme love for God and unselfish love for neighbors, and requires all laborers in God's institutions to be free from selfishness, for the lover of self is a transgressor, while those accepted are true as steel to principle, emptied of self, wearing Christ's yoke in meekness.TSSW 41.1–2+2

Loving God supremely is enjoined by the first four commandments while the last six require loving neighbors as self, love is the basis of godliness from which duties of righteousness result, and no one has love to God without unselfish love for brother, for love to God because He first loved leads to loving all for whom Christ died, a love that does not leave a soul in peril unwarned or abandon them but warns, labors and cares, because God will deal with a person as he deals with brethren.Ms 62, 1894, par. 11–12 It calls for faithfulness and love to God and fellow men.Ms 63, 1893, par. 31 Loving the Lord with heart, mind and soul and neighbor as self is the highest standard of Christian character, and supreme love joined with unselfish love places practitioners on vantage ground as a duty enjoined on every person, with God's Spirit helping believers live it and the gospel producing humility and benevolence.Lt 7, 1901, par. 8+3 Cherishing its principle with its fellow principle manifests deep earnest sympathy to God and man, elevates moral taste, controls and sanctifies passions, sets forth Christ as altogether lovely, and reveals the Spirit's fruit.Ms 107, 1901, par. 20–22 It shapes gratitude, humility, patience, mercy, forgiveness and self-sacrifice, ruling character against hatred, envy and pride, and should shape conduct with pure unselfish motives.4T 223.1–2+1 It makes a man a blessing to the church, cherishing love toward brethren and manifesting confidence to strengthen them, made complete in Him who gave His life, and those loving thus breathe Christ's Spirit and send rich currents of love to others.Ms 46, 1894, par. 16+1

Loving God supremely means being true to Him with loyalty joined to neighbor love, for pride and self-love oppose it while the gospel sanctifies and drives self-love out.9T 211.4 It must be shown by words and works including loving neighbor, with those loving supremely loving Saviour and one another with holy love, hid with Christ, bound heart to heart by His Spirit, dealing generously and strengthening hands, while discord testifies union is imperfect, and both loves are expressed by keeping commandments and seeking others' good rather than exalting self.13MR 223.1–2+1 Failing to cooperate with God is losing this first love, and professed people now fail it by not loving God supremely and neighbor as self, while keeping it requires living Christ's prayer for unity and practicing in every mission His principles, with conversion leavening churches so every converted person exercises forgiveness, tender sympathy and love toward friend, neighbor and acquaintance as a debt owed.Ms 64, 1894, par. 7 Love to God supremely summed in the first four commandments joined to neighbor love in the last six requires using reason, heart and mind for God's glory, lifting Jesus in prayer and song, letting light shine to others, and denying self to show perishing souls salvation in Christ, with only those so keeping commandments having right to the tree of life and failure to warn bringing guilt in judgment.Ms 27, 1891, par. 14–15

God and Christ are to receive supreme love, and true conversion turns a person from selfishness to sanctified affection for God and fellows, with every soul saved through love beginning with God joining reverence for Him with sacred regard for others.Ms 16, 1901, par. 47 Love for God in supreme devotion is the first commandment and love for one another is also to be cultivated, bringing joy to the heart.Lt 149, 1897, par. 23 Love for God and neighbor connects with receiving Christ's love, as genuine faith and truth transform character producing kindness, courtesy, peace and a life reflecting Christ.16MR 300.2–3 Together with loving neighbor it describes the ruling principle of a converted life, with love for God supreme and love for others its expression in Christlike tenderness, patience, goodness and selfless efforts to save souls, and when these loves are present God works through people.Lt 26, 1894, par. 5–6+1 Obedience working by love purifies the soul with love for Christ shown in love for others, as part of God's law of love, harmony, unity and holiness drawing nearer to God and to oneness of mind and judgment, with even disappointment and suffering made means of sanctification, and love to God and fellows is essential to saving others, for when members act in harmony faith works by love and without such faith nothing can be done.RH Feb 24, 1903+2

When churches return to first works they will love God supremely and neighbor as self.5MR 51.1–52.2 Keeping it with wholehearted seeking, due respect to those bearing burden in heat of day, and humbled hearts causes truth to prosper as a burning lamp, keeps first love, and makes it safe for God to work with and for His people.Lt 173, 1896, par. 13 It is to be cultivated in the heart alongside neighbor love, is needed in those seeking God's power to witness to Jesus' love, calls for pure heart, good conscience, sincere faith and obedient unselfish service, and gives God's people greater strength placing them on higher ground with kindness rather than oppression.Ms 40, 1900, par. 8–10+4 It is shown by faithfully doing ordinary duties within reach and taking opportunities to do good rather than neglecting them for pleasure or convenience.Ms 12, 1898, par. 4–6 Together with neighbor love it marks all belonging to Christ's kingdom as one family, tested by chosen society and developed character and shown by Christian liberality in communicating bounties to those with fewer blessings and speaking kindly words with deeds of love to win hearts, which God accepts as pleasing sacrifice.RH Feb 18, 1902 Churches are bound by it to care for physical, mental and moral needs and cannot prosper while neglecting that work, it is a practical lesson requiring self-control making believers true lights manifesting Christ's loving compassionate spirit to every person, and self-examination asks whether these loves shape conduct, for stirring strife and condemning destroys usefulness.Lt 11, 1905, par. 21+2

Together with neighbor love it calls followers to love God supremely and serve people at home and abroad without narrow or self-directed principles.Ms 15, 1897, par. 1 When mind is brought into association with God, goodness and love for fellows become natural, for God's purpose is that people be closely attached to Him and tenderly attached to one another.Lt 54, 1895, par. 7 Life's actions should be ordered according to God's will and others' welfare, and it calls people to honor Jesus for His sacrifice and keep God's laws and do His will through love, kindness, loyalty and doing good rather than evil.MYP 233.4+1 Love for God and others is the law of God and practical lesson of genuine Bible religion, work done under the Holy Spirit out of love for God and humanity bears the divine signature and makes an impression, and the command is shown in practice through zeal for Christ, trust in His help, and love held in the heart.9T 170.1+2 Being one with Christ means living in full love and willing obedience to the Father, supreme love is shown by honoring God through obedience joining love to God with love to others, and it calls for practical service to save and help others by reflecting light to those in darkness, comforting the downcast, and bringing kindness rather than bitterness to fellow travelers.Lt 29, 1900, par. 13–14+3

The twofold love is principles of pure faith shown through well-ordered lives and godly conduct.Lt 34, 1889, par. 2+1 This love belongs with keeping commandments and is to be lived in Christ's spirit including fairness toward differing views, and those sincerely loving God and neighbors show it by esteeming and upholding commandments especially when others treat them with contempt.Ms 69, 1896, par. 7–8+1 A person cannot have God's favor without both loves, for genuine faith works by love and purifies the soul, self must be crucified and sin removed by Christ, and the moral image is restored as one works with God no longer fostering self.Ms 164, 1898, par. 6 Christians preparing for the city built for the pure and holy must show love to God and fellows, without which Christ cannot stamp them with God's image, restore His attributes, or make them partakers of the divine nature.8MR 289.1 It calls for affections devoted to Jesus in pure love, in contrast to sickly sentimental impure love.2T 326.1 A cold distant unsocial manner is inconsistent with the warmth and affection supreme love should foster.CH 261.1 Affection centered on God is tried, purified and refined by Him then leads to holy love for others, while love focused selfishly on a small circle neglecting others does not honor God.Lt 8, 1856, par. 8–10

Obeying the first four and last six means not living for personal pleasure while disregarding others' present and future happiness.Lt 16, 1885, par. 8 That love is shown by unselfish action weighing consequences for spiritual welfare, brethren, church and instrumentalities established to advance the cause, while a self-centered course departing from God's order reveals failure to keep it.Lt 179, 1896, par. 20–23 God is to be loved above all, and when He is our strength and we love Him supremely we also love neighbor as self, use God-given abilities to bless others, and draw them to Jesus.Lt 21, 1894, par. 10 It forms a symmetrical character and sets the standard for Christian character, and every soul striving for the overcomer's reward must bring its principles into practical life, creating a precious bond between brothers, with selfishness, self-sufficiency and self-esteem put away under the Holy Spirit.Ms 116, 1898, par. 15+1 When Christ's love fills the heart these commands displace selfishness and desire for supremacy, and when God is exalted selfishness and pride give way to genuine love treating neighbors as they should be treated.Ms 26, 1888, par. 15–17+1 It requires loving God with all powers of mind and heart as a tender plant cultivated with roots of bitterness plucked up, it is kept by only about one in a thousand and broken nearly daily by suspicion, distrust and thinking worst of brethren, while keeping it means loving as brethren, being pitiful and courteous, bringing richest blessings, and genuine sympathy with Christ and allegiance include keeping commandments which nearly all have failed to love in this complete way.Ms 50, 1894, par. 7–8+1