Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:10, HCSB)
Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:10, ERV)
Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires. – (Romans 13:10, TPT)
If our focus and priority is to love, then we cannot help but fulfill what the law requires. Where there is love, there is no room for hurting others. As we choose to love those around us, God transforms our hearts and minds to see people as He sees them. Each person is God’s creation, His poema, His perfect work of art. Unfortunately, we are battling our own broken humanity. Our perception becomes clouded by unmet expectations. It is only when we let go of expectations and simply choose to love, that we begin to see others through God’s lens. Incredibly, the more we love, the more others rise up and seek to do the same. It is like the whole pass it on movement, yet it is fueled, equipped and empowered by God rather than ourselves. Acts of kindness matter and are ways to show His love, yet it is through consistently choosing to love in word, thought and deed that we are actually doing as God asks of us and therefore fulfilling His commands. May we ever seek the Lord to show us and grow us in His great love for all.
When we choose to love,
As we’re asked to do;
The law is fulfilled,
As goodness shines through.
For only by love,
Can God’s heart be shown;
Kindness extended,
Makes God’s goodness known.
O Lord, help us love,
Purely as You do;
Seeing each other,
With hearts that love true.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love one another like You. Thank You that as we do, we are upholding and fulfilling the law. Thank You that You intentionally created all of us with a plan and a purpose. Thank You that You place us in one another’s lives to challenge, encourage and grow in Your love. Forgive us for neglecting to love as You intended for us to love. Teach us to pursue Your heart and loving kindness for all so that we might love like You. Show us how to love all those around us, especially those that are difficult to love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love completely and without reservation. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must love one another.” – John 13:34