Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 25

January 25;   Romans 13:10;   25/260(II);   ‘The Law of Love’

 Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The New Testament Law is summed up in one word – love.  The love that fulfills the Law and that this verse is talking about is God’s love.  You may say that God loves everyone, but I am not God.  That is obviously true, but when you become a Christian, the Bible teaches that God’s love is deposited into our spirit by the Holy Spirit.  Human love could never fulfill the Law.  Human love is based on you, how you are treated by another person.  If they are kind to you and do what you want, you will love them.  If they mess up, human love can quickly turn to anger.  The love of God is based on Him.  He loves us when we are loveable and when we are not.  Human love can be selfish.  I will love you as long as you do what I want to do.  If you don’t there is going to be trouble.  God’s love never varies if you do what He wants you to do or if you do not.  In anger, human love can be totally disregarded and things can be said or done that can harm or destroy a relationship.  That never happens with God’s love for you.  He always says I love you.  As we grow in our relationship with the Lord by reading the Word and prayer, His love in us begins to make more and more of a difference in our conduct.  Reading of God’s love for us and the conduct of Jesus, thanking Him for your salvation and fellowshipping with Him in prayer will change you as you develop an intimate relationship with your Savior.  God’s love in your spirit will enable you to treat everyone the way Jesus treats you.  It takes some effort and disciplining of your thoughts, but His love in you, will give you the ability to fulfill the Law..