Law of Love
Galatians 6. Yesterday we saw how Paul answered the legalist in that Christian liberty does NOT mean a license to do as one pleases, as one lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, in chapter six, Paul tells us that the Christian who walks in the Spirit is free from selfishness and so freed in order to love others unselfishly in the power of the Holy Spirit. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." 6:1-2.
Law of Christ? Wait a minute. I thought we are now under grace. Isn't this Paul's argument, that we are now under grace? We are, but we have to be careful not to set grace up against the law--the Law being only found in the Old Testament and Grace being only found in the New Testament. That is a little misleading because Grace has always been in operation and the Law is still in operation, although a different law is now in force.
What do we mean by that? Jesus Himself said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matt.5:17. So, if the old law was fulfilled, what law is now in operation? The Law of Love. Paul said when we bear one another's burdens that we fulfill the law of Christ 6:2. What is the law of Christ? Look back to Gal.5:13-14: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
We have now been set free from selfishness for the purpose to love others unselfishly. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He summed it up this way: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart....and love your neighbor as yourself" Matt.22:36-40.
Prayer: "Lord, when I see a fellow Christian overtaken in a sin, help me to be like You and not the legalist, as I help them to get back on the right path. Lord, help me to never feel superior to them and help me to always guard myself against all temptations. Help me to bear the burdens of others, so that I can fulfill Your Law of Love. Thank you Jesus for Your grace and Your love for me. In Your Name I pray, Amen."
Law of Christ? Wait a minute. I thought we are now under grace. Isn't this Paul's argument, that we are now under grace? We are, but we have to be careful not to set grace up against the law--the Law being only found in the Old Testament and Grace being only found in the New Testament. That is a little misleading because Grace has always been in operation and the Law is still in operation, although a different law is now in force.
What do we mean by that? Jesus Himself said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matt.5:17. So, if the old law was fulfilled, what law is now in operation? The Law of Love. Paul said when we bear one another's burdens that we fulfill the law of Christ 6:2. What is the law of Christ? Look back to Gal.5:13-14: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
We have now been set free from selfishness for the purpose to love others unselfishly. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He summed it up this way: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart....and love your neighbor as yourself" Matt.22:36-40.
Prayer: "Lord, when I see a fellow Christian overtaken in a sin, help me to be like You and not the legalist, as I help them to get back on the right path. Lord, help me to never feel superior to them and help me to always guard myself against all temptations. Help me to bear the burdens of others, so that I can fulfill Your Law of Love. Thank you Jesus for Your grace and Your love for me. In Your Name I pray, Amen."
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:57 AM
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