Love Is The Fulfillment Of The Law, Part III

I’m taking a short break in my personal journaling through Romans to cover a topic that may either be just what God is guiding me through at this time in my life, or it may be that this is a prevalent confusion and therefore it deserves some study. 

Today's is a little long, but I hope you hang in there. This is the conclusion and it was a blessing to me when God taught it to me.

Part III

So to this point by exploring only a few verses, most of which are derived from just two or three letters of the New Testament (and by that I mean the other 63 or 64 books of the Bible also support my previous conclusions, but there’s no need to lay out every passage here), we’ve established two main conclusions:

1.     Love is the key attribute which ought to characterize a Christian’s life. The root from which that reality grows and on which it is established is the fact that love is part of God’s character.

2.     The Law is “good and holy and just,” it was designed with specific purposes in mind (which it has fulfilled) and it will benefit us if we do it, because the law is an extension of God character. The things in the Law are “good and holy and just” not because they are laws established by God (as is the case with the local, state, and federal governments) but because they encapsulate in our temporal existence things which God would do (thus, when God became a person He did fulfill the requirements of the Law – see Romans 8:3, 4)

So here we are back to the original issue. How do these two essentials converge? We know the statement “love is the fulfillment of the law” is true, but what I’ve found many a Christian confused about is why that statement of Paul’s is even true?!

This is how this works: Love and the Law both are extensions of God’s character. True love and true holy acts are only judged “true” if they meet the pass the litmus test of truth – God and His character. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law because anything that God would do (the Law, though I am not saying the Law is comprehensively what God would do) is ultimately also loving. To put it another way, if I do the things in the Law I will also be loving others. The converse is also true: if I love others, as God would love them, I will naturally do the things prescribed by God in the Law.

A conclusion, somewhat: So many times I have heard believers loosely quote the song “love is all we need.” While we cannot deny those words in themselves, a Christian must reject any concept of love that does not define itself and confine itself to the fulfillment of the law! Love does not require approval. Love does not demand tolerance. Love does not necessitate conflict-avoidance. After all, within the Law God prescribed do’s and do not’s. Love is serving everyone we meet, but only if it is in his or her best interest and if it brings glory to God. Love means accepting and respecting those around us, but does not mean we capitulate or compromise with the moral protections in the Law.

Today’s study has been somewhat barren of Scripture as I worked through an understanding of Scripture that is both a responsible and a cohesive interpretation of God’s word. At this point now, though, we are able to rightly understand our key verse: “… love is the fulfillment of the law” because now we can correctly appreciate and apply the first half of the verse!

Romans 13:10 in its entirety reads, “Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Why does love fulfill the law? Answer: actions, if they can be categorically listed as “loving” are harmless toward others and that is precisely what God is driving toward in giving us the Law. In it, He is telling us how we ought to live in order to not harm our friends, family and others around us.

At this point someone may object that I am reading my opinions or religious upbringing into these verse. That’s an important concern. I am confident that I am not doing that, however, because of the context – the verses that come before and after Romans 13:10 – confirm it:

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Notice what God says through Paul in verse eight – “he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Paul’s justification for saying we should “owe” love to others is because love will fulfill the Law. Now we can make the same substitution that Paul makes and shorten this passage some for clarity.

“Owe no one anything except to […] fulfilled the law [toward them]. And remember that it is easy to apply the law if you judge all of your actions by the commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Christians must get beyond the compulsion or tendency to minimalize the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus and the first generation of Christians likely only had those Scriptures and they were sufficient at that time to spread the gospel by testifying of Jesus’s life, death and resurrection. They were the foundation for everything written in the New Testament.

What does that mean for us? We know that the New Testament writers warned all believers (repeatedly) not to attempt to attain or maintain salvation through efforts to live according to the Law. On the other hand, they also commended believers to do the precepts on which the Law was founded; in other words, Christians were commanded to apply the underlying purpose for which God gave the laws (that concept requires a whole another study, so don't feel you have to trash all of your synthetic-blend clothing or never shave your face or burn off your tattoos. That's not what I'm saying!).

Christian, be encouraged. Though the Old Testament has specific purposes and should not be taken out of the context of the new covenant through Jesus, it is not outdated. The Law is not the result of the efforts of some Hebrew men to control a society. The Law was received from God and is not a black spot on the history of neither Jews nor Christians. We err when we dismiss the Law. We err when we pursue acceptability before God by the Law. We err when we fail to define love the way God defines love. We err when we let the world tell us what love should look like.

Let us not err, but let us glorify God in this matter!

Love Is The Fulfillment Of The Law, Part II

I’m taking a short break in my personal journaling through Romans to cover a topic that may either be just what God is guiding me through at this time in my life, or it may be that this is a prevalent confusion and therefore it deserves some study. The first part of this study can be found here.

Part II

I mentioned yesterday that the Bible, in the letter from Paul to the Corinthian Christians, describes a view of love that surpassed any other framework that humanity had known before. That’s a bold statement to make. It is also an accurate statement. The love that the Bible describes stands separated from merely emotion or affection or selflessness or devotion, though it essentially envelopes those things.

The phrase that I’ve titled these blog posts with, “Love is the fulfillment of the law,” is quoted from the thirteenth chapter of the letter to the Romans, tenth verse. It echos Jesus words that all the Hebrew Law and Prophets hang on the two commandments to love God and love people. Yesterday I discussed key concepts of love (as described by the Bible, which is my test for truth). We cannot correctly understand this verses (and many other verses) without getting Paul’s view of the Law as well.

The Law is not a regret to God.

In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Galatia, he says that, “if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law” (Galatians 3:20). This is an extremely important fact. The Law is not non-binding on a Christian because it is archaic or worthless or unnecessary. Paul here emphatically rejects any negative view of the Law. In the Romans letter he wrote that the Law is “good and holy and just” (Romans 7:12)! Paul has a high view of the Law!

The Law did not fail its purpose.

Going back to Galatians Chapter 3, Paul says, “if there had been a law given which could have given life…” which appears to be explaining that the Law was inadequate in helping; however, that is not so. What Paul is saying is that no law could have brought us life (speaking here of “eternal life”). Why? Because a set of rules can never express the requirements necessary for attaining that reward? No! Paul says “truly righteousness would have been by the law”! Again, Paul has a high view of the Law. He knows that God gave a perfect Law (which is how David describes it in Psalms 19).

So, why couldn’t the Law bring about the hope of eternal life? Paul answers that question in the Romans letter. There in the beginning of Chapter 8 Paul clearly and frankly states, “for what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh….” The Law is not the problem for us. We are the problem for the Law. Our inability to actually perform the Law – to live 100% within its guidelines – is the issue.

The Law still served and still serves its purpose.

What then should we think about the law? Going back to Galatians 3 God gives us the answer: “before faith came we were kept under guard by the law” and “the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ” (verses 23 and 24). Kept under guard? That simply means that it is right for us to try to live as the Law tells us to live because the result will be less sin in our lives. One function the Law had before Christ came was to aid us in avoiding sin. By striving to live how God says we should live, we are protected from having our lives ravaged by the consequences of sin. We ought to do all we can to obey God's commandments because they are good for us and will bring blessing to our lives!

What about the “tutor” position then? The tutor teaches. What does the Law teach? It teaches that we are unable to fulfill it. It teaches that we, every person everywhere that ever lived, cannot measure up to God’s standard for perfection – the standard that He sets in Himself. It teaches that we need God to do something else for us if anyone is going avoid punishment for our failure to meet the Law’s requirements. The tutor teaches us about a need for a Savior.

The Law is good.

Love Is The Fulfillment Of The Law, Part I

I’m taking a short break in my personal journaling through Romans to cover a topic that may either be just what God is guiding me through at this time in my life, or it may be that this is in fact a prevalent confusion and therefore it deserves some study.

Part I

There are several places in the Bible that describe love as the pinnacle of good works. Jesus taught that first and second place finishers in the Commandment Olympics are loving God (gold medal) and loving our neighbor (basically everyone) as ourselves (winner of the silver). He emphasized it by saying that on those two things “hang” the whole Israelite Law and the Prophets.

Love is a consummation.

One of those men that were closest to Jesus wrote “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (First John 3:14). John continued by writing, “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” just two verses later.

Love is the commandment.

Another very influential Christian in the first century, Paul, instructed quite frankly – owe no one anything but to love! (Romans 13:8) Paul also authored what is likely the most famous description of love ever penned in a letter to the Christians in the Roman city of Corinth. There he exclaimed that love is greater than hope and greater than faith. He even went so far as to say that all religious knowledge and miraculous gifts will pass away from existence eventually... but not love.

Love is powerful.

Paul, who wrote a majority of the letters in the New Testament, grasped a view of love that surpassed any other framework that humanity had beheld before. Love could (and should) be incorporated into every act, every relationship, every work, every thought, every word and every plan that occurs.

Love is indispensable.

Undeniably love is a definer; according to John it is the definer, of a true Christian. John must have gained that perspective from Jesus, who, after all, also said that people who did not have faith in Jesus would know believers simply by how we love one another.

All of this is wonderful. We as humans crave and need and seek after and treasure love. To find that the love of God is accessible to us is the greatest news ever written by pen or spoken by lips. That He expects us to love those around us in like manner is the healing balm of all the world’s wounds.

God is love.

I'm Included, He's Included, She's Included, We're Included. Wouldn't You Like To Be Included, Too?

Scripture: Romans 15:13 "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Observation: (#3 from the May 6th) The Jews and Gentiles have become equally blessed and have received the promises of God as one people (see Ephesians 2:11-22). This is seen in the repetition of peace, comfort, and hope in verses 4-5.

Verse 13 comes at the end of Paul's train of thought. It is the conclusion of his argument. At the beginning of the chapter Paul focuses on the blessings of God on the Jews. Then he shifts to the promises that God made within the word that the Jews received which describe the blessings of God on the non-Jews. His conclusion based on God's inclusive grace is that, as one people, we should be filled with joy, peace and hope.

Application: At one time the Gentiles dealt with being on the outs in the Christian community. The Jews thought they had it together. They left little room for God's work of grafting in people that the Jews deemed unworthy or unimportant. (Interestingly Paul is writing about this decades after the church was formed and it was still going on - prejudices die hard.) This week look for those types around me - include them. Don't withhold the good news of redemption. Don't judge others with exclusivity or I may judge myself into exclusion of God's mercy.

Prayer: Lord, will You teach me Your kind of grace? Teach me Your kind of love. Teach me to recognize those that I judge as unworthy and then given me the grace to change. I love you! Amen.

Does God Really Love Me?

Scripture: Romans 15:9 "and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy."

Observation: (#2 from May 6th) The Gentiles were granted eternal life through Jesus according to the mercy of God, to the glory of God.

Paul talked about the inclusion of the Gentiles in Chapter 11 where he described the means by which God grafted the Gentiles in, namely, the disbelief of the Jews (11:25). Paul also explained the gathering of Gentiles into the kingdom of God by His mercy (11:30).

Romans 11 and 13, along with Ephesians 2 (and surely other passages of NT letters that I don't know about - let alone those from the OT), focus the spot light of understanding onto God's mercy. I ought to take away from the Scriptures the immensity of God's good-will toward me.

Application: The movie Ragamuffin, which is the life story of Rich Mullins (more info here and here) asked the question "Do I believe that God loves me?" If I believe God's word and if I believe the burning love that God must have in order for Him to sacrifice Himself for my preservation and if I truly consider my weakness, my constant compulsion to serve myself, and my powerlessness against that compulsion, then I will be in the right place to also comprehend "what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19).

Yes, believe God's vast love and outpoured mercy.

Prayer: Your sovereign plan is beyond me. And I certainly don't hold any illusions of self-importance. I know nothing in me prompted Your choice to save me. I'm a product of Your mercy. I'm a benefactor of Your mercy. I'm dependent on Your mercy. How can I not love You?! Amen.

Aren't They "Lucky?!"

Scripture: Romans 15:8 "... Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises to the fathers,"

Observation: (#1 from the 6th) The Jews were granted eternal life through Jesus according to the promises of God (verse 8), to demonstrate His faithfulness and truth.

Often I think that I, in my historical, cultural, and geographical separation from the Jewish nation, completely miss the absolute necessity of the fulfillment of God's promises to the Jews. They were truly given an incredible heritage and blessing by God's working through them. It's amazing to think about God's decision to do so. But as Paul wrote back in Chapter 10, everyone else will declared a liar before God is ever found wrong or unable to fulfill even one small thing that He has said will happen.

Why did He determine to use the Jews? No reason - not one single reason - outside of His choice, His will, His election.

Application: The fact that God was able to complete the work through the Jewish lineage as He promised through the Hebrew Scriptures is a resounding reassurance for my everyday life.

Hope in God.

Apply Hebrews 11:6. Apply 1 Peter 1:6-9. Apply Romans 8:28-30. Apply Romans 8:38-39. Apply every promise, encouragement, hope, command and admonishment from all of Scripture.

Prayer: God, I have a hope because of Your word. And I hope in Your word because it is Yours. If anyone else makes a promise there is no guarantee it will happen, but You will outlast all things - there is no more sure foundation for life and hope. You were before everything. They will all perish but You will endure. Nothing can hinder or stop my Father! I love You. Amen.

A Read Worth The Time And Challenge

I finally finished a book I've been reading for about a year now called "Kisses From Katie." No, it's not a romance novel so you can keep reading!

My wife recommended it (actually she didn't stop talking about it for weeks) and so I finally downloaded it and picked away at it whenever I could.

So, now maybe I won't stop talking about it for weeks.

The book is written by a woman named Katie Davis who visited Uganda in her late teens and was touched so deeply by the suffering and need of the people there that she couldn't not do something about it. Within a short time she went again to Uganda permanently.

Here is the web site of the organization that she started and runs in Uganda.

The book is heavily laden with talk of God and how her experiences with the poorest, most hungry, most destitute, sickest, and most people has both revealed much about God to her and how greatly her work there has been the means for her to mature in ways that would have not been possible any other way.

To be honest it took me so long to read it because every time I did I would walk away completed wrecked over how much stuff I have, how much I want more stuff, and yet how little I appreciate the people that truly matter.

She has a wonderful way of writing that allowed me, if it is possible, to see what she sees day in and day out. Frequently chapters are separated by a journal entry of fears, joys, and sadness that she experienced along the way.

Here are just a few of the quotes that really struck me as I read. The whole book has been a real challenge to emulate her response to the needs of the truly needy rather than just internalize some measure of academic understanding that such a need exists.

While visiting her family in the United States: "I hadn't realized what a transformation had taken place while I had been in Uganda, the spiritual richness I had experienced in material poverty and the spiritual poverty I felt now in a land of material wealth."

"I can miss the will of God. [There was a] rich young [man that met Jesus who] certainly did. He didn't fall dead, as [others in the Bible who ignored God] did; and maybe he went on to live a great life, but it wasn't the life he could have lived had he said yes to what Jesus was asking of him."

"We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy. Joy costs pain, but the pain is worth it. After all, the murder [of Jesus] had to take place before the resurrection."

Why The Two Ought To Become One (or How The Two Already Have Become One and Let's Get With It)

Scripture: Romans 15:9, 13 "and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, ... Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Observation: There is actually a ton to observe in these two verses (and in the connections with the previous verses). Verses 9 and 13 are linked by several OT verses that demonstrate God's plan to bless the Gentiles, too. Can't get to it all today.

1. The Jews were granted eternal life through Jesus according to the promises of God (verse 8), to demonstrate His faithfulness and truth.

2. The Gentiles were granted eternal life through Jesus according to the mercy of God (not that the promises are not of mercy though), to bring more glory to God.

3. The Jews and Gentiles have become equally blessed and have received the promises of God as one people (see Ephesians 2:11-22). This is also seen in the repetition of peace, comfort and hope in verses 4-5 and 13.

4. The unity that Jesus has established through His cross is the foundation for why we ought to "receive" (vs 7) all people from all nations, tribe and tongues.

(Side note: Racism is a dumb word because there is only one race. In my opinion, the word racism does more to separate than unite. There's just other words that should be used to express the maltreatment or prejudging of one person against another based on perceived or assumed differences.)

5. The unity that Jesus has established through His cross also defines how we are to receive each other. In other words, the characteristics of our receiving should mirror the manner in which Jesus received us.

Application & Prayer: Today, Father, I see the true endless and abundant joy and hope that you have for me. I'm made whole by your mercy and grace. I'm restored to you so that I may glorify you, your goodness, your faithfulness, and your wisdom. I rest fully on your mercy and grace. I love you! Amen.

Piano Recital, 05May14

So, I attempted to share these videos on FB earlier today, but I had no luck. Really, though, I would rather have them here.

The first video is just something she was playing earlier last week.

This second one is at the recital tonight. Unfortunately the camera and my phone failed to record her piece. Fortunately I talked her into playing the song after the reception and she played it flawlessly again!

Here are some pics we took afterward as well.

God's Word Is Not Just Words

Scripture: Romans 15:4-5 "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another according to Christ Jesus.

Observation: Paul's reference to the Scriptures here seems at first read to be out of place. That's why I journal about it. I've grown to know that nothing in Scripture is out of place. God intended to express something important with each word. I only need the Spirit to teach me!

Here's what I see here:
1. Paul is focused on unity (as I mentioned in the 30 April SOAP). He just used an OT verse (Psalm 69:9) to admonish believers to by love be humble enough to put the encouragement of others above my opinions and preferences.

2. Then for verses 4 and 5 he explains why it all comes back to Jesus and inextricably connects our faith in Jesus to the Scriptures and inextricably connects those to the character of God.

3. Thus, the Scriptures are a source of patience and comfort because the God who inspired them is the source of all patience and comfort because God is patience and hope. It is His very character.

Scripture comes from God not in the way that I give money to my children but in the way I give eye color to my children.

Application:
4. Therefore, my faith in the Scriptures, my reliance on them, the measure of comfort and peace and hope that I receive from them are directly connected to my understanding of who God is.

Prayer: Lord, my God and my Daddy, I am beyond blessed and gratefulness for Your Scriptures. I do not take them lightly. Please increase my faith and devotion. I love You. Amen.