Jesus gives two critical principles in Matthew 22:36-40: to love God with all your being and to love your fellow man as yourself. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
First, let us consider the contrast between the two ideas. Loving God should be the central theme in our lives each day. When one considers what God has done, not only in one's life but throughout creation and human history, he should be able to understand the idea more thoroughly.
The difference between loving God and our fellow man is tremendous; that is not to say that we should take loving our neighbors lightly. When one truly meditates upon who God is, then views Him next to man, we can see it is a different requirement. Let me explain; no one can ever justifiably indict God as one who betrays, hurts, or harms them. Attempts and accusations are made almost daily; nonetheless, they are unjustified. Giving all required should be easy when God is viewed as He should. He is a Being that only wants what is best for His creation, yet we shake our fists toward him. God is not guilty of malice, evil, or wrongdoing; He is holy, righteous, all-loving, forgiving, gracious, merciful, and patient. How could such a being not be deserving of one's absolute best?
On the other hand, loving a being like my neighbor is entirely different. Humans are more than capable of causing harm and betraying others and often are guilty of such. In this area, Jesus calls us to be like the Father, for he calls us to be forgiving. It is not easy loving those who have betrayed us. It is never pleasant when we are required to pardon those who harm us. Why? Because these two ideas seem counter-productive. What does one get out of excusing another of their wrongdoing? "Nothing!" someone might say. One begins to reason and justify why one cannot forgive the other person, so every excuse is given, and forgiveness is never extended. But one fails to observe the principle in God's word. It starts with the proper attitude.
The principle is easy to understand if one views others and he/her views themselves. Often, we use the phrase, “Take a walk in my shoes," and this saying is used to show the idea of trading places with another to see what you would do in the same situations. It is easy to look at another, only using your point of view and passing judgment. We judge others as unworthy of our help, time, or love. Jesus sought to change this infectious mindset because God always required humans to have compassion and love for one another.
Think of a world where human beings sought to please God and love their neighbor as themselves. Crime would decline, people would be healthier, lifespans would be longer, and life would be more enjoyable. Christianity is designed to take the human race and make it the possible form it could be.