The 3 Core Teachings Of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in human history. His teachings have stood the test of time and continue to inspire and guide millions of followers today. But if you had to boil down his main messages into just three core teachings, what would they be?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: love God, love your neighbor, and love yourself. These simple yet profound principles encapsulated much of Jesus’ spiritual wisdom and formed the bedrock of his moral code.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the background, context, and practical applications of Christ’s 3 seminal teachings in depth.
Love God with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
The Great Commandment in the Law
Jesus taught that the most important commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). This commandment comes from Deuteronomy 6:5 in the Old Testament and is known as the “Great Commandment.”
It calls us to love God wholeheartedly and passionately with every fiber of our being.
Putting God Above All Else
Loving God above all requires putting Him first in every area of life. He wants to have preeminence in our thoughts, affections, priorities, and choices. That means esteeming His ways and wisdom higher than the world’s, cherishing time with Him more than anything, and obeying His commands no matter what it costs us.
Scripture says if we love anything or anyone more than Christ, we are not worthy of Him (Matthew 10:37). The call is to make God our supreme treasure and joy.
Expressing Our Love Through Obedience and Worship
Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obeying God’s word is a primary way we express our love for Him. It demonstrates we value His ways and honor His authority in our lives. Additionally, love for God overflows in heartfelt worship. We were made to praise and enjoy Him forever.
Lifting our voice in song, bowing before Him in prayer, and living all of life for His glory are just some of the ways we can fulfill the greatest commandment every day.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
The Second Great Commandment
“Love your neighbor as yourself” is considered the second greatest commandment taught by Jesus, after “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37-39).
This profound teaching encourages us to actively love and care for others in the same manner we love ourselves. Showing compassion and kindness to our neighbors, even strangers, honors God and builds a more loving society.
Seeing God’s Image in Others
We can better love others when we recognize that every human being bears the image of God. As people created and loved by God, every individual has sacred worth and dignity that commands our respect. Though backgrounds and appearances differ drastically, we share a common humanity and divine imprint.
Appreciating that sublime connection cultivates empathy and makes the command to “love your neighbor” more attainable.
Practical Ways to Show Love
Loving our neighbors moves beyond feeling compassion – it compels action. Practical expressions of Christ-like love include:
- Showing hospitality through small acts of kindness
- Giving generosity and care to marginalized groups
- Forgiving others unconditionally
- Speaking words of affirmation that build people up
In a divisive culture, modeling godly neighbor love stands out beautifully. Simple, consistent acts that lift the burdens of others demonstrate Christ’s love in transformative ways. As Christ said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
Love Yourself
Jesus taught that to truly love others, we must first learn to love ourselves. This involves caring for our body, mind, and soul, forgiving ourselves for past mistakes, and discovering the unique gifts God has given each of us.
When we embrace self-love in a healthy way, we are then able to extend that same grace and compassion towards others.
Caring for Our Body, Mind, and Soul
Jesus emphasized holistic self-care that nourishes our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Getting adequate rest, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and avoiding substances that harm the body are all ways to practice self-love physically.
Making time for relaxation, nature, and relationships refreshes us mentally. And activities like prayer, meditation, worship, and service feed the soul. When we care for every dimension of our lives, we honor ourselves as whole persons created in God’s image.
Forgiving Ourselves
An important part of self-love is showing ourselves the same mercy that God does. Jesus exemplified unconditional grace and taught that we should forgive others seventy times seven times (Matthew 18:22). This boundless forgiveness applies to ourselves too.
Dwelling on guilt and shame drains our joy and vitality. Accepting God’s complete forgiveness frees us to move forward in newness of life rather than staying chained to past regrets. As we release ourselves from self-condemnation, we make space for self-love to grow.
Discovering Our Unique Gifts
Self-love entails embracing our identity as beloved children of God, created with intrinsic worth and value. Jesus assured all people of their preciousness in God’s eyes. As we grow in self-knowledge through prayer and exploration of our passions, values, and talents, we better understand our distinctive mix of gifts.
Using our abilities to help others is an act of self-love that builds confidence and purpose. We love ourselves well when we appreciate our uniqueness and share our blessings generously with the world.
Conclusion
In closing, focusing on these 3 simple yet profound principles can transform one’s spiritual life. As we open our hearts to receive God’s love, extend love to those around us, and nurture self-love and self-care, we become more whole and fulfilled.
Our relationships flourish, our well-being improves, and we find deeper meaning and purpose. If we take anything away from Jesus’ life and ministry, let it be these core teachings that have endured through the centuries and continue to change lives.
