The Loving Thing is the Lawful Thing
George Fessler
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"For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall
love
your neighbor as yourself.' If, however, you bite and devour one
another,
take care that you are not consumed by one another" (Galatians 5:14-15,
NRSV).
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Paul points to the priority of the law, as summarized by loving our
neighbor
as we love ourselves (see Leviticus 19:18). What could be more important
for
God's people than reflecting His very character. The loving thing
is the
lawful thing! In stark contrast, however, we can see what happens
when love
is absent from our relationships. We can begin to "bite and devour"
one
another. How sad to see this occurring in any context, but it must
deeply
sadden God's heart for His own children to act in such a manner.
Unfortunately many churches have been split or destroyed as fellow
believers
start consuming one another. May God help us to be healers and not
harmers
of others!
Prayer response: Father, when I read this Word of yours, I realize
that you
have ordained love to be at the center of life. It is not only written
in
your law, but you want it to be written on our hearts. I thank you
for
loving me and giving me the opportunity to love others -- my family
members,
work associates and neighbors -- in unique and tangible ways. Help
me, even
during times when others disappoint or hurt me, not to retaliate
but to
forgive. Keep me from sinning against my brothers and sisters in
Christ, who
are as imperfect as I am. We all stand in need of your rich grace.
Hear my
prayer, O Lord. Amen.
hbdevotion@news.ag.org
