There is a law that man should love his neighbor as himself. In a few hundred years it should be as natural to mankind as breathing or the upright gait; but if he does not learn it, he must perish.
Alfred Adler (1870-1937, Austrian psychiatrist)
Romans 13:8-10
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up by this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. (HCSB)
I think that this is one of the boldest statements in scripture and gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. We are legalists for the most part in that what we see of a person is what we believe is true about them. Yet we know that in each person’s heart there is sin, for there was but one born without sin and His Name is Jesus.
We know of many around us we believe to be good people, judged by the way that they have fulfilled the law by living close to what is deemed good. Yet, I see here a great truth that turns all of this around. God says that if you and I love one another, we will have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law.
Christ commanded us in John 13:34 and again in John 15:12, to love one another as He has loved us. So I see here that in this new covenant that God has made with us that the fulfillment of the Law is last, and Love is first. Now to me that makes Loving my Brother of the Utmost importance…a new covenant, a new way of life…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William
Alfred Adler (1870-1937, Austrian psychiatrist)
Romans 13:8-10
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up by this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. (HCSB)
I think that this is one of the boldest statements in scripture and gives us a glimpse into God’s heart. We are legalists for the most part in that what we see of a person is what we believe is true about them. Yet we know that in each person’s heart there is sin, for there was but one born without sin and His Name is Jesus.
We know of many around us we believe to be good people, judged by the way that they have fulfilled the law by living close to what is deemed good. Yet, I see here a great truth that turns all of this around. God says that if you and I love one another, we will have fulfilled all of the requirements of the Law.
Christ commanded us in John 13:34 and again in John 15:12, to love one another as He has loved us. So I see here that in this new covenant that God has made with us that the fulfillment of the Law is last, and Love is first. Now to me that makes Loving my Brother of the Utmost importance…a new covenant, a new way of life…God’s Blessings.
Pastor William
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