Embodying Love: The True Essence of the Law

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the profound relationship between Christians and the law, emphasizing that obedience to the law is not just a matter of duty but a matter of understanding the "why" behind it. Jesus, the greatest teacher, did not come to abolish the law or the prophets but to fulfill them. This fulfillment is not about discarding the law but about embodying its true essence, which is love. The law and the prophets, representing the Old Testament, were always pointing towards Jesus and his story. This is akin to a narrative unfolding, where the unexpected yet inevitable revelation is that everything was leading to Him.

Jesus' life exemplifies what it means to live in perfect harmony with the law, not as a set of rigid rules but as a pathway to grace and love. The law is not a burdensome set of regulations but a gift that guides us towards a life of love and compassion. It is a reflection of God's character and a blueprint for how we should live, love, and interact with others. The essence of the law is captured in the Golden Rule: to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is the heart of the law, and it is through love that we fulfill it.

Legalism, on the other hand, distorts the law into a system of superiority and oppression, missing the point entirely. It becomes a tool for self-righteousness rather than a guide for righteous living. The true purpose of the law is to refresh the soul, make wise the simple, and bring joy to the heart. It is a course of goodness, not the source, which is God and His grace. Grace empowers us to live according to the law, and the law provides a framework for expressing that grace through love.

In our daily lives, we are called to love the law rightly by doing the next right thing, by being compassionate, kind, and humble. Each moment is an opportunity to live out the law through love, to be a force for good in the world, and to reflect the character of God in our actions.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, showing us what a life in perfect harmony with God's will looks like. This fulfillment is about embodying the essence of the law, which is love, and living it out in our daily lives. [02:29]

2. The Law as a Gift: The law is a divine gift that guides us towards a life of love and compassion. It is not a burdensome set of rules but a reflection of God's character and a blueprint for righteous living. [04:21]

3. Distinguishing Legalism from True Law: Legalism distorts the law into a system of superiority and oppression, missing its true purpose. The law is meant to refresh the soul and bring joy, not to be a tool for self-righteousness. [06:06]

4. Grace and Law Together: Grace empowers us to live according to the law, and the law provides a framework for expressing that grace through love. They are not opposed but work together to guide us towards goodness. [09:33]

5. Living the Law Through Love: We are called to love the law rightly by doing the next right thing, being compassionate, kind, and humble. Each moment is an opportunity to live out the law through love and reflect God's character. [10:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Importance of the "Why"
- [00:31] - The Golden Rule
- [01:00] - Jesus and the Law
- [01:39] - Misunderstandings About Jesus' Mission
- [02:05] - Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets
- [02:57] - The Story of Jesus
- [03:38] - The Gift of the Law
- [04:21] - Psalm 19 and the Law
- [05:00] - Distinguishing Law from Legalism
- [06:06] - Legalism vs. True Law
- [07:21] - A True Story About Legalism
- [08:03] - The New Legalism
- [09:04] - Surfing and the Law
- [09:33] - Grace and Law Together
- [10:40] - Living the Law Through Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:17 - "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."
2. Psalm 19:7-9 - "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says He came to fulfill the law and the prophets? How does this relate to His actions and teachings? [01:00]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the law and love? What is the essence of the law according to the sermon? [03:52]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that legalism distorts the true purpose of the law? [06:06]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of grace working together with the law? [09:33]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How might Jesus' fulfillment of the law challenge common misconceptions about His mission and teachings? [01:50]

2. What does it mean for the law to be a "gift" that guides us towards love and compassion, as described in the sermon? How does this perspective change our view of the law? [04:21]

3. How can distinguishing between legalism and true law help Christians live more authentically according to God's will? [06:06]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that grace empowers believers to live according to the law? How does this empowerment manifest in daily life? [09:33]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you viewed the law as a set of rigid rules rather than a guide to love. How can you shift your perspective to see the law as a pathway to grace and love? [02:29]

2. Consider the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." How can you apply this principle in a specific relationship or situation this week? [00:31]

3. Identify an area in your life where you might be practicing legalism. How can you move towards a more grace-filled approach in that area? [06:06]

4. Think about a recent decision or action. How did it reflect the character of God as described in the law? What changes can you make to better align your actions with God's character? [10:07]

5. The sermon encourages doing the "next right thing" as a way to live out the law through love. What is one "next right thing" you can commit to doing this week? [10:40]

6. How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the law as a reflection of God's character and a blueprint for righteous living? What steps can you take to study and understand the law more fully? [04:21]

7. Reflect on the role of grace in your life. How can you rely more on God's grace to empower you to live according to His law? [09:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Embodying the Essence of the Law Through Love
The fulfillment of the law is not about discarding it but embodying its true essence, which is love. Jesus exemplified this by living in perfect harmony with the law, showing that it is not a set of rigid rules but a pathway to grace and love. The law is a reflection of God's character and a blueprint for how we should live, love, and interact with others. By understanding the "why" behind the law, we can see it as a guide towards a life of love and compassion, rather than a burdensome set of regulations. [02:29]

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." (Galatians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you can better embody love. How can you take a specific action today to reflect God's love in that relationship?


Day 2: The Law as a Divine Gift
The law is a divine gift that guides us towards a life of love and compassion. It is not meant to be a burdensome set of rules but a reflection of God's character and a blueprint for righteous living. By viewing the law as a gift, we can appreciate its role in guiding us towards a life that mirrors God's love and compassion. The law is a tool that helps us align our lives with God's will, leading us to live in harmony with others and with God. [04:21]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules." (Psalm 119:105-106, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you view God's law as a gift in your life? Identify one area where you can embrace the law as a guide towards love and compassion today.


Day 3: Distinguishing Legalism from True Law
Legalism distorts the law into a system of superiority and oppression, missing its true purpose. The law is meant to refresh the soul and bring joy, not to be a tool for self-righteousness. True law is about living in a way that reflects God's love and grace, rather than using the law as a means to judge or elevate oneself above others. By distinguishing between legalism and true law, we can focus on the heart of the law, which is love and compassion. [06:06]

"For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Corinthians 3:6b, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you may have approached God's law with a legalistic mindset. How can you shift your perspective to focus on the spirit of the law, which is love and grace?


Day 4: Grace and Law Working Together
Grace empowers us to live according to the law, and the law provides a framework for expressing that grace through love. They are not opposed but work together to guide us towards goodness. Grace is the source of our ability to live out the law, and the law helps us understand how to express that grace in our daily lives. By embracing both grace and law, we can live in a way that reflects God's love and goodness to the world. [09:33]

"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow God's grace to empower you to live according to His law today? Identify one specific way you can express grace through your actions.


Day 5: Living the Law Through Love
We are called to love the law rightly by doing the next right thing, being compassionate, kind, and humble. Each moment is an opportunity to live out the law through love and reflect God's character. By focusing on love as the heart of the law, we can be a force for good in the world and demonstrate God's love through our actions. Living the law through love means being intentional about our actions and interactions, seeking to reflect God's love in all that we do. [10:40]

"Let all that you do be done in love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to live out the law through love? How can you be intentional about reflecting God's love in your interactions with others?

Quotes


"people sometimes wonder if I'm a Christian am I supposed to obey the law and the answer is yes but it's the why that really matters it's the why that can make you greatest teacher who ever lived said your problems your difficulties are not insurmountable what is insurmountable is God it is Kingdom his action and presence Among Us us and so you can make today a golden rule day" [00:00:00]

"do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets now why would he say that well it's because there were people who thought that he had come to abolish the law and the prophets for one thing he spoke with unique Authority this passes the first time in the sermon not that he will use the phrase truly I tell you rabbis didn't talk like that they quoted the Torah they quoted other rabbis this Rabbi was uniquely authoritative" [00:01:02]

"so there were folks that thought well he must have come to abolish the law and the prophets so he says let me be real clear on this not only have I not come to abolish them I have come to fulfill them now what does it mean that he came to fulfill the law prophets the law and the prophets was a way of referring to all of the Old Testament" [00:01:44]

"the law and the prophets from the beginning was pointing towards something and that something that it was pointing towards because it's a story it was him and his story kind of like if you've seen the old original Star Wars movie and then you saw the second installment and then the third one and you realize Darth Vader the enemy is actually Luke's father and Leah's father and the reconciliation is possible" [00:02:55]

"truly I tell you until Heaven and Earth disappear not the smallest letter not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished until all of humanity God's Cosmic project of community we all look the way that God wants us to and the essence of the law of course is do to other people what you would have them do to you that is love love God love your neighbor" [00:03:41]

"the law of the Lord is perfect refreshing the soul the statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple the precepts of the Lord are right giving Joy to the heart the commands of the Lord are radiant giving light to the eyes the decrees of the Lord are firm and all of them are righteous altogether I came down to do this by the ocean because it refreshes my soul" [00:04:12]

"it's helpful here to distinguish between two different ideas one is the law as God gave it or what Israel called the law and the prophets that's the story of who God is what God's character is like and what God thinks a good person ought to look like we have this perennial problem how do I live how should I act as a friend what should I do with my money" [00:05:03]

"we turn the law from a pathway to Grace into the wrong kind of law which becomes an instrument for cultural superiority and human oppression and then it just becomes this kind of odd um Book of Rules that we will use to make ourselves feel better than other people make us feel Superior so it actually becomes the anti-law the essence of law is love God love other people" [00:06:06]

"Grace and law go together law is a gift of Grace to us and then Grace gives us the power to move towards it and the Heart of it the essence of it always is love so today love the law be deeply grateful uh that God has given us a picture a story words we're not stumbling around in the dark to be filled with love to be clothed with compassion and kindness and humility and gentleness and patience" [00:09:37]

"if you want to be a follower of Jesus and uh learn how to love the law rightly just do the next right thing when you're with another person how can I assume him how can I love him how can I speak the truth for all I um I was remembering this morning or quite a recent incident where I was with somebody and they were deeply Med and I looked at my wallet and I had a large bill so I gave it to him" [00:10:54]

"when the next moment comes do the next right thing remember uh Jesus came to fulfill the law so uh the law and the prophets are summed up in this one statement which we call the golden rope make it a golden Mule Day let your soul be refed if you like hearing John talk about The Sermon on the Mount we've got a whole series on that so go ahead and subscribe to make sure you don't miss any future episodes" [00:11:27]

"you can also go back and catch up on any episodes that you may have missed now if you're interested in the email or the text alert that goes along with each episode you can let us know at become.com ssubscribe and we'll make sure that you get those if you want to help us spread the word about become new the best way to do it is just to watch like and comment each video that we put out so we would love to hear your thoughts" [00:12:01]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Feb 01, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?