“The” Law
Romans 2:12-24
All who have sinned without will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. But if you call yourself a Jew and rely upon the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth--you then who teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
From the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.
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So… Please note in these verses written by Paul in a letter to the Romans we see “THE” LAW being mentioned 14 times in 13 verses ,,, as “Singular‘ rather than plural…
…Not “the lawS”..
But, Rather “The” LAW.
Now Legalists would be quick to pull out their own Scofield notes and reference materials such as concordances and dictionaries and handbooks to the Bible and begin picking apart what I am saying here. Some people are always seeking details about which to argue and debate and I suppose that is the way of legalists.
Legalism is very much the task and job of “lawyers” and anyone who has ever studied the legal system will note that every law has been defined so specifically that even one trained in law and justice often must carefully go back and read volumes of books and case studies on a client to client and case to case basis. So complex are some laws in the U.S. of A that even those trained to be lawyers have difficulty with it and anyone trying to be their own “lawyer” is not likely to win a case.
Some would also suggest that the United States of America’s legal system refers to the many laws under the title “’THE’ LAW” and I would agree that even though written as in “singular” form that there IS a series of other laws and sub-laws…But, these are actually only intended to promote and support a SINGLE LAW.. Called the “LAW OF LOVE“.
The Law of Love of Jesus is a much more refined Law that the one given to Moses, it is called the 'Law of Christ' by Paul (Gal.6:2).
“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill ‘the’ law of Christ.” (Gal. 6:2)
This means to be compassionate.. To be sacrificial towards other.. TO BE LOVE!
THE LAW OF CHRIST = THE LAW OF LOVE
So, truly there is but ONE LAW by which men shall be judged… But what evidence is there in a person that can show that this single law is being followed.. Well.. These are defined as being the “FRUIT(s) OF THE SPIRIT” and they are what God looks at when he is looking for people who are really BEing LOVE.. And not just faking it to appear righteous.
The fruit of the Spirit is- love, - joy, - peace, - patience, - kindness, - goodness, - faithfulness, - gentleness, - self-control;against such there is no law.
Let’s look at a few other verses in The Bible that speak of this in support of the “Law of LOVE”.
"No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one's friends" (John 15:13).
"And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, but I have no charity (love), it profits me nothing" (1Cor.13:3).
Matt 5:7- "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
(Some read the verses after this and believe that Jesus is supporting harsh laws … BUT… what is really being said is that if a man holds up all the other laws as valid.. They are then used against the one who holds them.. In essence, “As one judges others.. That is how they shall be judged“.. And no man could ever be perfect enough to presume enough innocence to be a judge.. Save they have LOVE and then they simply would not desire to judge).
Thus by the end of Matthew CHAPTER 5.. This is qualified as follows:
38- "You have heard that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
39- But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40- And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41- If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42- Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you
43- "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44- But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45- that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46- If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47- And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48- Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect
DO YOU WANT TO BE “PERFECT” AS THE FATHER IS PERFECT?
THE ONLY WAY TO SUCH PERFECTION IS NOT BY WAY OF LEGALISM OR ADHERANCE TO CODES AND DOGMAS.
(They are like binding chains when LOVE offers freedom.)
IT SHOULD BE QUITE CLEAR WHAT LAW MATTERS AND YET PEOPLE EVERDAY ARE JUDGING ONE ANOTHER WRONGLY.. TRYING TO BIND THEM TO…
…“LAWS”
THERE IS BUT ONE LAW ON WHICH ALL SHALL BE JUDGED AND SO I WOULD SUGGEST YOU BEGIN LEARNING IT AND KEEPING IT NOW…
…FORGET ALL THIS JUDGEMENT OF EACHOTHER AND START JUDGING YOURSELF…
… PERHAPS THEN YOU WILL BE FOUND RIGHTIOUS.
To think that salvation can be had by simply mouthing the words, “I believe in Jesus” is nothing but pure laziness.
People must regain childlike innocence or they shall simply not go to Zion, or anything called heaven:
“And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 18:3).
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Therefore, love is the most important of all things of YHWH, God because HE, HIMSELF “IS LOVE”.
Loving our neighbor and loving God are the keys to salvation.
Innocence is the fertile soil in which love takes root. That brings us to these questions: “Do I love God with all my heart and mind?
Do I love my neighbor as my own self?” …
as commanded? …
…If the answer is no, then we are not going to heaven. If no, then we must begin the quest for this love.
Many religious people attend church for years of Sundays and not hear one sermon about love much less any advice as to how to practice this kind of love. Christian books and tapes are more numerous than the stars in the sky but few are concerned with love and how to attain it. This is astonishing because this is the central teaching of Jesus!
Love is the very path to salvation!
Sadly, so many don’t recognize love or the need for it because they themselves have no love.
They have long since forgotten what pure selfless love is or what it feels like.
THE LAW: BE LOVE
THE RESULT: You will BE LOVED!
“BE LOVE & BE LOVED”
(no other Law matters if you can’t get this one!)
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