Love is Greater than the Law

I heard some interesting debates during the last presidential election. I heard about the war in Iraq, about social security, about gas prices…the list went on and on. And each candidate would spew his point of view, sort of. There was a lot of sort of taking a side, and then going back, straddling the fence. There was a lot of trying to trap people with their words. As a result, they couldn’t come out and say what they believed about things because they didn’t want to offend anyone. That is why it is always refreshing to hear an honest answer.

Jesus was acquainted with this sort of plot to trap him in his words. Jesus was not to be painted in a corner by anyone. People would often ask him a question to try and get him to foul up. But Jesus always had a reply ready. For example, there was this one time…

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard Jesus debating with some people. Noticing that Jesus knew what he was talking about and had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the 614 commandments in the Old Testament, which is the most important?” Jesus, without a second thought said, “The most important commandment, is this: ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all that you have—all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28ff

What Jesus is saying is that all the laws that are in the OT, all the sorts of rules that are put on us are based on love. Love is greater than law. Those laws are visible ways that we can display love for God and love for others. The point is not that we keep a bunch of rules, but that we love. It starts with God. Are our actions showing love for God and what he has done for us? He has given you life, given you your very body, given you salvation. So when you do things, is it honoring that love? What you do with your body and how you treat it shows the extent that you love God.

And then consider whether your actions are showing love to another person. Our speech falls into this category. There are no laws against lying to people, but it sure isn’t showing them love. You won’t get thrown into jail for hating, lusting, or envying, but do those actions show them love? No, of course not.

Laws don’t keep people from doing things, their hearts do. All rules do is get people thinking about how to get around them. You say, but how about if I just get angry but don’t act on it? What if I drink but don’t get drunk? What if I smoke casually? What if I lust but don’t go through with anything? We all do it. We try to get around the rules. But all that is law keeping. God is calling us to love. When you put it in the context of love, there are no loopholes, ifs, ands or buts. Love makes it clear what actions we should and should not take.

We can lay down a bunch of rules if we wanted to about what to do and what not to do. And most Christian folk do. And though those rules may be good ideas, the reality is clear—if you are not loving, then those rules are worthless. The test of our actions and our life as a Christian is simple—not are we living according to rules, but are we loving. Does my action show love for God, myself, and others? Love is greater than law.