Love Your Neighbor (4/28-30)

Galatians 5:14, NKJV, “For all law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”

Reading from Galatians 5:13-15, NLT, “For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”  (Ref: Matt.22:39)

The love of Christ is our law and restraint (to keep under control). Why? Because Christ loves us, serve us, and gave Himself for us and we know that Christ loves us. So we love Christ with all our heart and lives. We want to please Christ and do all we can to serve Him. So how can we serve Christ? By doing exactly what Christ did: loving and serving others.

What exactly does the law have to do with love? First, we got to understand the meaning of the word, law. The dictionary shows the meaning: a: a rule of conduct or action laid down and enforced by the supreme governing authority (as the legislature) of a community or established by custom b: the whole collection of such rules (the law of the land) c: the control brought about by enforcing rules (forces of law and order) d: trial in a court to decide what is just and right according to the laws (go to law).

If we don’t know the meaning of the law, then it is difficult to understand what Paul was trying to explain. One thing to remember this: For all law is a basic rule being done in one thing: love your neighbor. Why? Because Paul explained that if there were no love, there would be “devouring one another.” In another word, destroy other’s reputation by saying bad things about others. This was where the “law of love” comes in, the basic rule or restraint as to keep them under control from destruction.

If you remember the words of Jesus from Matthew 22:36-40 that someone asked Him question about which is the great commandment in the law. Jesus explained that there are two laws: One is to love God and the second is to love your neighbor. How do you love your neighbor? Do you love yourself? Sure you do! Then it is simple, do the same to others. If you are nice to yourself, then be nice to others. If you don’t want to hurt yourself, then don’t hurt others.

I would say that ‘love your neighbor’ would ‘be completed’ coming from the word, “fulfilled.” To fulfill also means to accomplish or to measure up to where one is satisfy such as one fulfilled the requirements. Then our obedience to Jesus’ word is a ‘requirement to’ love your neighbor. It also means that you would ‘satisfy’ God because you would ‘measure up’ to where God wants you to do. Whoa! What a glorious Scripture!

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open our understanding when we studied this Galatians 5:14, for all law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ You have prayed for those who have asked you for help in prayer needs. And you have “love your neighbor” by taking the time to pray for them. You will sense God’s greatest blessing upon you and you will receive healing as well. In Jesus’ name, amen!