If love is the fulfillment of the law, who needs God…right?
Yep, it says so right in the Bible. And it’s written by Paul…the apostle to the gentiles. That’s me. And if you’re not a Jew, that’s you. So, Paul was writing to us. And he wrote these exact words, “love is the fulfillment of the law“. Just click here and see if I’ve misquoted it. You’ll find I haven’t. Now, that’s good news to anyone who considers himself or herself a good person but doesn’t want to get into “that whole God thing”. All you need is love. (slightly unintentional quote from the Beatles) Just love. And you’ll fulfill “the law”. Bam!
Well, what’s this law you’ve just fulfilled? It’s the law that says things like “you shall not commit adultery” and “you shall not murder” and “you shall not steal” and “you shall not bear false witness” and “you shall not covet” and some others. Apparently Paul is telling us if we just love…”your neighbor as yourself”…you’ve fulfilled all the law.
But is Paul actually saying all you gotta do is love AND you’ll make it to Heaven? That’s where the meat of the matter lies. And the answer to that question is “No”. Sorry to burst your bubble, but here’s the thing…you might love your neighbor as yourself, but you don’t do it all the time. Admit it…you’ve had some pretty bad thoughts about some neighbor here and there at some time or another. Haven’t you? Don’t feel too bad. So has everybody else. I’d never make the claim that I’ve only loved my neighbor as myself. There have been times when what I felt was anything but love…and…
…that doesn’t mean I’m cursed to do my best to not break any of those laws. Far from it! I’ve been set free from those laws. Would you like to know how? Hope so ’cause I’m gonna tell you. I put my faith in the only one who was and IS the fulfillment of the law…Jesus. He lived here on this same mean ol’ planet as you and me. And He didn’t commit one sin. Not one. And He had greater love for His neighbor than all of the rest of us put together. He laid down His life for sins and crimes He never committed. In fact He “became sin” so God could pour His anger out on Him and not me…or you. Guess what that did…
…it made eternal life in paradise a real possibility for every human being.
Are you gonna take advantage? Or do you wanna see how well you can love your neighbor as yourself every minute of your life?
Stay tuned,
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