Everything! All of God’s laws are summed up in that one little word. The central core them in the Bible is love and if we focus on that, no other laws are even needed.
The problem is we are more concerned about our agendas and we forget about love.
Love is the answer!
We try to be right, have power, be in control. But, instead of focusing on ourselves, we need to think more about others.
Yet, again, we worry about the rules, our rights, what we’re owed. What is the least that we can do and get by?
But Paul tells us a different viewpoint in Romans 13:8-10…
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery.” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “ do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. —Romans 13:8-10
Following Christ is about more than just following rules. I think this is where so many have gone wrong in history. When we think we understand God’s intent in the Scriptures, we may get presumptive that we are 100% right and argue as if we have it correct. But, when we get to heaven and meet God, we may have been totally wrong. One reason it’s important to really study the scriptures in depth. Don’t take someone else’s word, pray about it and find the answer in God. He is the ultimate authority on the law anyway.
We are all sinners saved by grace, loved by God. Love like you’ve been loved!
Let every decision you make be led by love. We don’t need a list of rules to guide us if we begin by remembering how much we are loved by the Father.
There is never a moment when you’re done giving love. You can never give enough!
Love is the lens through which we should see all other commandments.
I don’t deserve the love He’s shown me. Why should someone else have to deserve it for me to love them? Start thinking about how you can love others. Are you checking off the boxes to see if someone deserves your love?
Love changes how we respond to politics. Most would think that Jesus would be on their side. I chuckle when I think how the religious leaders of Jesus’ time rejected him as the Messiah because they thought he was a blasphemer! Are we not doing the same thing?
Love doesn’t mean we have to accept everything. Consider everything in the framework of love.
God didn’t say that when you get your act together, I’ll love you. He accepts us as we are, flawed. So don’t you think that’s how we should be toward others?
With this in mind, how could you respond with love the authority figures that you don’t like? Love in justice and authority. There is always a place for justice.
Paul calls us to something better. If something’s not right, advocate for change!
When love leads we don’t fight for our lives. Think how different our world would be if we did that one simple thing towards everyone.
Let people see God and love in you!
Such a powerful message from Jon Porter on a day that a young man got baptized in our midst. We’d been praying for several years for God to make a difference in his life and it was a blessed day!
Where God Leads 