RPG Adults
LAW AND LOVE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 21
Matthew 7:1-29
James 2:8-17
“Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven…”
LAW AND LOVE
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” This summary statement of Jesus is another proof of His active obedience as the perfect Teacher of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus’ positive application of the Law — “Thou shalt” — enhances and reinforces the Law’s negative prohibition — “Thou shalt not.” The negative rule — “Thou shalt not” (eg. kill) — has a positive counterpart — “Thou shalt” (eg. save). One fulfils the Law when one loves and does good to his fellow man, even his enemy. Jesus is our perfect Example for while we were yet sinners, yet His enemies, He loved us and died for us (Rom 5:8).
If a person says he loves God, he must show it by loving his fellow man. We fulfil the Law by loving others. “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.” Jesus warned, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” In other words, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20). Jesus must be Lord not only by our lips, but also in our lives.
The people could see that Jesus as a teacher was vastly different from and far superior to the Jewish lawyers and theologians, “For he taught them as one having authority.” The Jewish rabbis relied on human authority in their exposition of the Law; they depended on one another’s interpretation of it, but Jesus as the Author of the Law was His own divine authority, and none was able to question or fault Him.
THOUGHT: “Where there is no love the Spirit of God does not rule there.” (Calvin)
PRAYER: Father, teach me to love.