Posts Tagged ‘law of love’

Scripture reading for August 13th: 1st Corinthians 8:1-13

“It was for freedom that Christ has set us free.” (Galatians 5:1)  The Corinthians were enjoying freedom in Christ, but had more questions about how to exercise this freedom.  There were many idol temples in Corinth where people sacrificed animals.  This meat was often cut up and sold in the markets to make money.  The Corinthians had questions about whether or not they had liberty to eat this meat.

“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:  We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but One.” (1st Corinthians 8:4)  Paul told them the truth about the idols.  They were really nothing at all.  God, the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ were worthy of praise.  All things come from God alone.  The world has many ‘gods’ and seeks to worship them in their ignorance.

“But not everyone knows this.  Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.  But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.  Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1st Corinthians 8:7-9)  The stronger believers understood that the idols were nothing.  They knew that eating that meat sacrificed to the idol wouldn’t pollute their faith.  But the weaker believers still had fresh memories of sacrificing to idols.  They felt defiled when they ate.  The responsibility was placed on the stronger to limit their liberties for the sake of their weaker brothers!  They were not to flaunt their knowledge because it was not loving towards their brothers!

The law of love is again used as the rule of faith and practice.  Stronger Christians limit what they are free to do so that no younger or weaker believer’s faith is destroyed by their liberty!  Paul went on to emphasize this, “Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.” (1st Corinthians 8:13)  “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1st Corinthians 8:1b)  Check out your love level today!

Scripture reading for February 23th: Deuteronomy 5-7

Moses preached a second message to the children of Israel in the year before he died.  This message began in Deuteronomy 5 and goes through chapter 26.  You might say that Moses was a long-winded preacher, but he had learned much about God through his experience of leading the people and falling face-down before the Lord.  He wanted to impress the basics on these who would go in to possess the promised land so that they would be prosperous and successful in their walk with God.

Moses began his message by calling for Israel to “hear”.  Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17)  They first needed to “hear” that what happened in the past at Mt. Sinai was not just for their dead ancestors, but for them!  (Deuteronomy 5:1-4)  When we read or hear the word of God, our hearts need to be open to “hear” with the idea that God is speaking to us as well.  We are descendants of  Israel by faith in Jesus Christ! (Romans 11:17-18)

Moses then restated the ten commandments.  The only major change from 40 years earlier was his commentary on the fourth commandment, Sabbath keeping.  Here he emphasized keeping the Sabbath to remember their deliverance from Egypt.  (Deuteronomy 5:12-15)  In the Exodus account, Moses had emphasized creation’s pattern where God worked six days and then rested on the seventh. (Exodus 20:8-11)

After restating the Law, Moses gave them further insight.  “Hear O Israel:  The Lord our God, the Lord is One.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

The law of God is all about love because God is love.  If we love God, we will obey Him from our heart!  (1st John 4:16)  Jesus Christ repeated this in summarizing the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37-38)