Where There Is Love
“Love’s pure intent seeks no harm nor sway,
Without it, we can’t find God’s righteous ways.”
In the Old Testament, particularly in Exodus 20:1–17, we find the 10 commandments of God. The first 4 emphasize loving God (vertical), while the last 6 emphasize loving the neighbors (horizontal). It was established to know SIN, and anything against the law is a sin! “…for sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 5:17.
In the New Testament, Jesus summarized the law by highlighting the love of God and love of neighbor as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37–40). The law is all about love! Galatians 5:14 declares, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Without love, all we do in the church is pointless, meaningless, and worthless! 1 Corinthians 13:1–3: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”
Love never seeks to harm another. Instead, it actively seeks the welfare and honor of all. No wonder Peter penned in 1 Peter 4:8: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
If this world could be filled with love every one of us would live in a better place! But WHERE IS THE LOVE in this world?
In Politics: If our politics is love-centered in this day and hour, that love should lead our interactions, even when we disagree with others. Instead of destructive language, love motivates us to engage in meaningful communication.
- In Social Justice: Love drives us to work for justice and equality for all, particularly disadvantaged and oppressed communities. It motivates us to take action against discrimination, poverty, and systemic injustice.
- In our Community: Love encourages us to strengthen our communities by caring for others, whether through kindness, volunteering, or supporting those in need.
- In any Relationship: In our lives, love calls us to forgive, reconcile, and build harmonious relationships, understanding that love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
If this world were filled with love we have a harmonious society in various aspects of our lives from political to social relationships, but this would be impossible to happen because this world is full of lust. 1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” This LOVE is powerful! It conquers all sins, all criminal, all war, all discrimination, and even all corruption issues. None of us in this world can give us that kind of love that covers all, but God is so gracious…
His love endureth forever, He gave His Love in this world — “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” John 3:16. And proved His love on the cross at Calvary Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Brethren, in our quest to fulfill the law, we find the ultimate example in Jesus Christ. His perfect love is proved in His life, teachings, and sacrificial death on the cross. Through His grace, we are empowered to love as He loved. As Romans 13:10 reminds us, love is not just an option; it is how we fulfill our calling as followers of Christ.
May the Lord help us to truly grasp the depth of love described in Romans 13:10, and guide our actions, words, and thoughts in every aspect of our lives. James 2:8 “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:”
