Commandments. Laws. The mere words evoke imagery of rules, of restrictions, of a “do this, don’t do that” system of control. Ten Commandments? How about 613?(http://www.gospeloutreach.net/613laws.html)
- Matthew 22:37-40
Two commandments fulfill the requirements of the entire law. How do we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind?
- 1 John 5:1-4
In addition to worshiping Him, loving God means keeping His commandments.
- John 13:34-35
Christ calls us to love one another just as He loved us. Such love is definitive proof that we are His disciples.
- Romans 13:8-10
Love turns the concept of “law” on its head. It is not about God exerting control over us, micromanaging our lives, but providing relational boundaries and guidelines to protect us and to provide for us. Consider the analogy of the fence…
And who is my neighbor?
- Luke 10:25-37
In this story, Jesus commends the Samaritan over the so-called “religious” men. Despite their titles, they missed the point. Our neighbors are the ones we encounter every day, beyond the walls of the “church.”
- Matthew 25:31-46
When we minister to “the least of these,” we are in actuality ministering unto the Lord Himself. There is no real distinction between “each other” and “our neighbors,” as the latter are God’s children as we are, and in loving them, we exemplify and extend the love of the Father to them.
- John 15:9-17
As the Father has loved Jesus, so He loves us, and so we are to love others in the same way, even laying down our lives for them.
- Romans 12:9-10
Love is so much more than a feeling, but a mindful choice.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
Love is one of the pillars of the church. God recognizes us when we love Him.
- 1 Peter 4:8
Love does not highlight sins, but covers them. Love chooses to see the best.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1-3,13
Love is the foundation upon which all our other Christian works and deeds should be built. Love should continually be our underlying motivation in all things.
- Colossians 3:12-14
Again, love is a choice. Being clothed in love is akin to being a finely tuned instrument, in perfect harmony (“a consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity.”) with others. Dissonance, on the other hand, is “a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of unrest and needing completion.”
- 1 John 3:16-24
Real love demonstrates itself in action, not just words.
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