Fulfillment of the Law
Date: June 28, 2023
I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional.
B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases
S - Summarize and Share
You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?
B - Bible Verse: The Bible Verse in NIV: "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10 NIV)
L - Listen for God's Word and pray: Heavenly Father, open my heart and mind to receive Your Word. Help me understand the depth of Your love and the importance of loving my neighbor. Guide me in applying this truth to my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
E - Explore the History and Meaning: The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans, addressing the Christians in Rome. In this particular verse, Paul emphasizes the significance of love in fulfilling God's law. Love is the essence of God's commandments. When we genuinely love our neighbor, we fulfill all the requirements of God's law. Love not only avoids causing harm to others but actively seeks their well-being and acts in their best interest. By practicing love, we align ourselves with God's heart and His perfect will.
S - Study the Key Words or Phrases:
Love: It refers to selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the good of others.
Harm: Love does not inflict any harm or damage upon others in both words and actions.
Neighbor: It encompasses all people around us, emphasizing the broad scope of our responsibility to show love.
Fulfillment of the law: Love encompasses all the commandments and fulfills God's requirements.
S - Summarize and Share:
This verse reminds us that love is the key to fulfilling God's law. And you know what? Love isn't just a fluffy feeling or a warm fuzzy emotion. It's a powerful force that can transform lives!
For some reason, this verse really spoke to me about our interactions online, especially in this digital age. We live in a time where social media has become a big part of our lives. It's so easy to post things without fully realizing the impact our words can have on others, even those we love. Sometimes we make broad comments or share content that unintentionally hurts those around us.
But here's the thing, love calls us to be mindful of what we say, even in the online world. It challenges us to consider the potential impact our words may have on others. We don't want to cause harm or hurt through our online presence. Instead, we should strive to use our words to uplift, encourage, and show kindness.
Let's be intentional about spreading love and positivity online. Before hitting that "post" button, let's pause for a moment and ask ourselves, "Is this comment or post going to build others up or tear them down?" “Would I seriously say this right to the face of someone I love?” Let's choose to be a source of inspiration and encouragement, rather than contributing to negativity or hurtful exchanges.
Remember, love is a choice. It's a decision we make every day, not just in our offline relationships but also in our online interactions. Our digital presence is an opportunity to reflect God's love and goodness to the world. So, let's be mindful of what we post, ensuring our words align with the love that God has poured into our hearts.
As we interact with others online, let's draw wisdom from this verse and the broader message of Scripture. Let's remember the importance of loving our neighbor, both in person and online.
And as we meditate on this verse, let's draw inspiration from these additional Bible Cross Reference scriptures that further emphasize the importance of love:
Matthew 22:39 "And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Galatians 5:14 "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
1 John 4:7-8 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love."