Staying Free
Love is the fulfillment of the law…Romans 13:10
Legalism requires our constant recalculation of our salvation. Under the weight of legalism, we are never free. We just traded the bondage of sin for the chains of rules. Grace says, “It is finished”; “you are free.”
For the commandments, ‘you shall not commit adultery’—‘you shall not murder’—‘you shall not steal’—‘you shall not bear false witness’—and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up is this saying namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9 For he who loves another has fulfilled the law, Verse 8.
For this reason, Jesus did not abolish the law, He fulfilled the law. The law is in the Bible. It cannot be ignored. Nor shall we ignore the law. Because it is summed up in loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Just as Jesus said.
The law is a witness against sinners. For the law brings us to Christ, so we can be justified by faith, Galatians 3:24. The law points us to Jesus. Jesus points us to the Father. The Father has given us His Spirit. And by His Spirit we are challenged to keep the royal law—loving one another, James 2:8.
Our love of God inspires us to love one another. The forgiveness of God inspires us to forgive others. The mercy of God inspires us to be merciful. For we are to be holy as He is holy. We are to allow His Spirit to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus the Christ. This is the fulfillment of the law.
All Scripture is inspired and profitable. Consider the words of David, The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19, verses 7 thru 9. Because these truths are more precious than gold—fine gold, verse 10.
All Scripture is worth our while. For in the holy words of God is wisdom and understanding—truth for the soul–instructions for life—real freedom! Why go back?
