This week, we will explore how love and justice are not separate concepts but are intertwined in God's nature. The Bible teaches that true love includes justice and that those who love God must also love others. We will see that God calls His people to reflect His character, standing for justice while demonstrating love.

- SATURDAY – Introduction

- Memory Text

1 John 4:20

KJV ²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? CEV ²⁰ But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?

- Lesson

While we trust that God will make all things right in the end, this does not mean we should ignore injustice now. The Bible shows that love and justice go together. If we love God, we will care about justice.

Loving God means caring about the well-being of others. This includes standing against oppression, poverty, and injustice whenever we see them.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that true love for God will always be expressed in love for people. It is not just words but is demonstrated in action.

- Conclusion

We cannot say we love God while ignoring injustice. True faith shows love through action.

- Reflection

What does 1 John 4:20

KJV ²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? CEV ²⁰ But if we say we love God and don't love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we don't love the people we can see?
teach about the connection between love for God and love for others?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we make sure we are actively demonstrating God’s love in practical ways?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- SUNDAY – The Two Greatest Commandments

- Lesson

Read the following:

Matthew 22:34-40

KJV ³⁴ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. ³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. CEV (Mark 12.
28-34; Luke 10.
25-28) ³⁴ After Jesus had made the Sadducees look foolish, the Pharisees heard about it and got together. ³⁵ One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, ³⁶ “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. ³⁸ This is the first and most important commandment. ³⁹ The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” ⁴⁰ All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.

Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, and He replied with two: love for God and love for others. These two principles summarize all of God’s law.

Loving God means obeying His commandments, and loving others means acting in their best interests. Faith is not just about beliefs but about how we treat others.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that keeping God’s law is impossible without love. True obedience flows from a heart transformed by love.

- Conclusion

Jesus showed that the heart of God’s commandments is love for God and for people.

- Reflection

What does Matthew 22:34-40

KJV ³⁴ But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. ³⁵ Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, ³⁶ Master, which is the great commandment in the law? ³⁷ Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. CEV (Mark 12.
28-34; Luke 10.
25-28) ³⁴ After Jesus had made the Sadducees look foolish, the Pharisees heard about it and got together. ³⁵ One of them was an expert in the Jewish Law. So he tried to test Jesus by asking, ³⁶ “Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. ³⁸ This is the first and most important commandment. ³⁹ The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” ⁴⁰ All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
teach about the foundation of all God’s laws?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we ensure that our obedience to God is rooted in love, not just duty?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- MONDAY – The Two Greatest Sins

- Lesson

Read the following:

Psalm 135:13-19

KJV ¹³ Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. ¹⁴ For the Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. ¹⁵ The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ¹⁶ They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; ¹⁷ They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. ¹⁸ They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. ¹⁹ Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: bless the Lord, O house of Aaron: CEV ¹³ The name of the Lord will be remembered forever, and he will be famous for all time to come. ¹⁴ The Lord will bring justice and show mercy to all who serve him. ¹⁵ Idols of silver and gold are made and worshiped in other nations. ¹⁶ They have a mouth and eyes, but they can't speak or see. ¹⁷ They are completely deaf, and they can't breathe. ¹⁸ Everyone who makes idols and all who trust them will end up as helpless as their idols. ¹⁹ Everyone in Israel, come praise the Lord! All the family of Aaron

Zechariah 7:9-12

KJV ⁹ Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: ¹⁰ And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. ¹¹ But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. ¹² Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. CEV ^8-9 So once again, I, the Lord All-Powerful, tell you, “See that justice is done and be kind and merciful to one another! ¹⁰ Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other.” ^11-12 But everyone who heard those prophets, stubbornly refused to obey. Instead, they turned their backs on everything my Spirit had commanded the earlier prophets to preach. So I, the Lord, became angry

The Bible repeatedly condemns idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is the failure to love God above all, while injustice is the failure to love others as ourselves.

God’s greatest commandments are to love Him and love others, and the greatest sins are violations of these principles.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that when love for God is lacking, self takes control, leading to idolatry and injustice.

- Conclusion

Breaking God’s commandments always involves failing to love.

- Reflection

What do Psalm 135:13-19

KJV ¹³ Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. ¹⁴ For the Lord will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants. ¹⁵ The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ¹⁶ They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; ¹⁷ They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths. ¹⁸ They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them. ¹⁹ Bless the Lord, O house of Israel: bless the Lord, O house of Aaron: CEV ¹³ The name of the Lord will be remembered forever, and he will be famous for all time to come. ¹⁴ The Lord will bring justice and show mercy to all who serve him. ¹⁵ Idols of silver and gold are made and worshiped in other nations. ¹⁶ They have a mouth and eyes, but they can't speak or see. ¹⁷ They are completely deaf, and they can't breathe. ¹⁸ Everyone who makes idols and all who trust them will end up as helpless as their idols. ¹⁹ Everyone in Israel, come praise the Lord! All the family of Aaron
and Zechariah 7:9-12

KJV ⁹ Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: ¹⁰ And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart. ¹¹ But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. ¹² Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. CEV ^8-9 So once again, I, the Lord All-Powerful, tell you, “See that justice is done and be kind and merciful to one another! ¹⁰ Don't mistreat widows or orphans or foreigners or anyone who is poor, and stop making plans to hurt each other.” ^11-12 But everyone who heard those prophets, stubbornly refused to obey. Instead, they turned their backs on everything my Spirit had commanded the earlier prophets to preach. So I, the Lord, became angry
teach about the dangers of idolatry and injustice?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we guard against making idols in our own lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- TUESDAY – The Golden Rule

- Lesson

Read the following:

Matthew 7:12

KJV ¹² Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. CEV ¹² Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.

Luke 6:31

KJV ³¹ And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. CEV ³¹ Treat others just as you want to be treated.

Jesus summarized how we should treat others in what is known as the Golden Rule—do to others as you would have them do to you. This rule is not based on feelings but on deliberate, selfless love.

Loving others is not about receiving something in return, but about reflecting God’s love in our actions.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that true Christian love is not self-seeking but always looks to serve others.

- Conclusion

Jesus calls us to live out love in a way that reflects His character.

- Reflection

What do Matthew 7:12

KJV ¹² Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. CEV ¹² Treat others as you want them to treat you. This is what the Law and the Prophets are all about.
and Luke 6:31

KJV ³¹ And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. CEV ³¹ Treat others just as you want to be treated.
teach about how we should treat others?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we practice the Golden Rule in our daily lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- WEDNESDAY – Justice and Mercy in Action

- Lesson

Read the following:

Micah 6:8

KJV ⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? CEV ⁸ The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”

Isaiah 1:17

KJV ¹⁷ Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. CEV ¹⁷ and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.”

God’s law does not only demand love for Him but also justice and mercy for others. Micah 6:8

KJV ⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? CEV ⁸ The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”
sums up what God requires: to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

True faith is not just about religious rituals but about living a life that reflects God’s justice and mercy.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Christianity is more than belief—it must be demonstrated in actions of kindness and fairness.

- Conclusion

We cannot claim to love God while ignoring the needs of others.

- Reflection

What do Micah 6:8

KJV ⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? CEV ⁸ The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”
and Isaiah 1:17

KJV ¹⁷ Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. CEV ¹⁷ and learn to live right. See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.”
teach about how love and justice are connected?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we stand for justice in our communities while demonstrating mercy?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- THURSDAY – Love’s Ultimate Expression

- Lesson

Read the following:

John 15:12-13

KJV ¹² This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. CEV ¹² Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. ¹³ The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.

Romans 5:8

KJV ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. CEV ⁸ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

Jesus taught that the greatest love is to lay down one’s life for others. Paul explains that Christ demonstrated this love by dying for us while we were still sinners.

This ultimate act of love reveals God’s character and calls us to love others selflessly.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that Christ’s sacrifice is the highest demonstration of love—a love that calls us to live unselfishly.

- Conclusion

If Jesus loved us this much, we are called to love others in the same way.

- Reflection

What do John 15:12-13

KJV ¹² This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. CEV ¹² Now I tell you to love each other, as I have loved you. ¹³ The greatest way to show love for friends is to die for them.
and Romans 5:8

KJV ⁸ But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. CEV ⁸ But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.
teach about Christ’s love?

Reveal Suggested Answer

How can we reflect Jesus’ selfless love in our lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- FRIDAY – Further Thought

- Lesson

This week’s study showed that love and justice are at the core of God’s law. True religion is not just about personal faith—it includes active love, fairness, and standing for what is right.

God’s ultimate expression of love and justice is found in Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross, where mercy and justice met in perfect harmony.

- EGW Notes (Paraphrased)

Ellen White explains that every commandment is rooted in love. True obedience comes from a heart transformed by Christ’s love.

- Conclusion

Loving God and loving others cannot be separated—they are the foundation of true faith.

- Reflection

How does understanding love and justice help us better reflect God’s character?

Reveal Suggested Answer

What practical steps can we take to ensure we are both just and merciful in our daily lives?

Reveal Suggested Answer

- LESSON SUMMARY

Love and Justice - The Two Greatest Commandments

This week’s lesson taught that love and justice are inseparable. True faith is seen not just in worship but in how we treat others. Jesus showed us the highest form of love through His sacrifice, calling us to live out His love in justice, mercy, and compassion.