Great Commandment to Great Commission

"Great commandment obedience fuels great commission living." I think about this often. Jesus summarized the Christian life for us in two commands that are at difference places in Scripture but inseparable in how we pursue their fulfillment.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39, ESV)

Too often, we try to fulfill the Great Commission — to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, ESV) — without first being rooted in the Great Commandment. But trying to make disciples and fulfill the great comission without love for God and others becomes impossible. True obedience to Christ flows from affection for Him.

When we are growing in love for God and others, we begin to see people the way He does. Our hearts become burdened for the lost, compassionate toward the hurting, and eager to serve.

If we want to live in a way that impacts eternity, may we focus first on deepening our love for the One who sends us. May we sit at His feet and be shaped by His Word.

Loving God well leads to living sent — not out of guilt or duty, but out of overflowing joy in the One who first loved us.
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​Yes, Great Commandment obedience fuels Great Commission living.