The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Wouldn't it be great if we didn't have to have laws to keep people in line! That's the point behind Paul's message here. Treat our neighbors as we would like to be treated. Love them as we want to be loved. If we do that, then we're not going to do anything that would hurt them, much less violate a command of God's law that would hurt them.
Loving Father, you are God who gave Moses the Law on tablets of stone. Please write your character and will on my heart (
Proverbs 3:3;
Jeremiah 31:33) that I might be a living testimony of your righteousness and grace toward all people. Help me to think more carefully about how my neighbors feel and what they need before I act or react to them - not just today, but every day! In the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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