Introduction
Memory Text: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8, NKJV).
Love is the
fulfillment of the law according to the memory text. In contrast to the man
who, in a church meeting said decisions cannot continue to be made out of
compassion, compassion is part and parcel of love. God’s law is a part of the expression
of love as God Himself expresses it.
How does Exodus 20:1-17 reveal the Law of love?
The first four commandments deal with people’s relationship
with God, the way we are to love God. The last six deals with human
relationships, how we are to love the people around us. Jesus explicitly said,
“ ‘On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’ ” (Matt. 22:10,
NKJV).
What makes “the law holy, and the commandment holy and just and good?”
The law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good
because, among other things, it makes sin and our sinfulness apparent to us. It
reveals our great need of salvation.
What is the nature of God’s Law?
God’s Law is unchangeable; it is significant that the law
was written on stone. Jesus said, “ ‘until heaven and earth pass away,’ ” not
even “ ‘the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the law’ ” (Matt. 5:18, NASB 1995).
On what is the Government of Christ founded?
The government of Christ is founded on love.
How do we know that love and grace is not opposed to each other?
God gave us the law inscribed on stones, an act of grace.
Yes, the law couldn’t save us but it showed us how we can love our God and our
fellow men. The law also, was to be written in the hearts of the people, so
that it is not just external to us but internal as well, an act of grace. The
law only shows us our need of salvation, it shows us our sin, we are not saved
by law-keeping, we are saved by grace. We do not keep the law to be saved, we
keep the law because we are saved. We do not keep the law to be loved, we keep
the law because we are loved, and thus we desire to love God and others (see
John 14:15).
What are the “weightier matters of the law” (Matthew 23:23,24)?
“Justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23,24).
How is the Sabbath commandment connected with the weightier matters of the
law?
The Sabbath commandment in Deuteronomy 5 is connected with
God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. The Sabbath is not only a memorial of creation;
it is a memorial of deliverance. When Isaiah 58 talks about turning away from
one’s pleasure to call the Sabbath a delight, it means taking delight in the
Lord, the emphasis is on works of justice and love for others—feeding
the hungry, housing the homeless.
What lesson is recorded in the Bible for those who are concerned about
fulfilling the law through love?
They are not only to be concerned about not violating the
letter of the law, they should be concerned about actively doing good—doing
works that advance love and justice.
What does it mean to become a follower of Christ?
Being a follower of Christ means that you love God and have
love for the people around you. James 2:1-9 strong decries injustice in the
society, specifically identifying the dishonoring of the poor and oppression by
some who are rich, calling attention to the law of love for one another saying
if you do them, then “you do well” (James 2:8, NKJV).
What is above all things according to 1 Peter 4:8?
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for
‘love will cover a multitude of sins’ ” (NKJV).
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