LOVE (MARK. 12:28-34): THE GREATEST VALUE THAT MARKS OUT GOOD CHRISTIANS THE IGBO CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

God created mankind for them to experience his love and reciprocate it for their good. He expects mankind to worship him with their whole being. This concern that is shown to God is expected to be reciprocated in their families and by extension, their communities. The general meaning of the Greek word agapç as used in Mark 12:28-34 is goodwill, affection, respect, benevolence, and concern for the welfare of the loved. Today, double allegiance is in the increase to the extent that some Christians have turned around to give to deities, shrines, images of animals, and even trees this agapç that is due for God and above all there is hatred between believers living together. The problem now is that some Christians have gods instead of God and are in disarray today in their families. This study aims to expose that the above problems persist mainly because there are few authentic Christians who understand the full meaning of the content of Mark 12:28-34. This study adopts textual criticism in the exegesis of Mark 12:28-34 as well as library research to unravel the intentions God expects from mankind towards himself and towards themselves. The study discovers that one of the major causes of the increase in double allegiance is the fact that the Christianity that came to Igbo land was a divided one. It recommends that leaders of the different Christian Churches have to return to the basics to straighten the strayed relationship between them if they are to remain relevant in the world. This study argues that the understanding of the above passage will bring out true worship of God and the harmonious relationship in various Christian families. Significantly, this work will be of immense benefit to Igbo Christians and indeed all Christians.