Love's Conscience Romans 13:8-14

Text: “Owe to no man anything, but to love one another; for he/she that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law.”

Romans 13:8.

Good morning, loving Christian!  Your Christian love towards all men, no matter if they be friends or strangers, has been much noticed; and being noticed, has brought great glory to the Saviour’s holy Name.  Love on, beloved, fulfil the Law.  

(1 John 4:7-21)

In what way might the Christian fulfil God’s law by his/her practical loving?  What law exactly might be fulfilled?  To more fully comprehend our daily Bible readings it is very healthy to ask oneself such relevant questions as one goes along.  “Ask, and ye shall receive...” (Matthew 7:7-11)

The law spoken of here in Romans 13: is, of course, God’s Ten Commandments to us.  These Ten Commandments can be found in the book of Exodus, chapter 20:1-17.

It is only through Spiritually imparted love that a person can even attempt to keep these Commandments.  In fact, I believe God gave them to Moses in the first place to prove to mankind the fact that he/she was incapable of keeping them; even while being implored of God the Holy Spirit to do so!  (John 15:4-5) (Ephesians 4:30-32)

The natural (unregenerate) man/woman loves not his/her Creator Lord, and is naturally disobedient to Him.  (1 Corinthians 2:12-16) (Job 14:4) (Romans 7:24-25) (Romans 8:7)

That is why we must, of an absolute necessity, be born again of God the Holy Spirit.  We MUST receive God the Spirit within us - otherwise we can never hope to really love our friends, never mind our enemies!  (Matthew 5:44-48)

Therefore, the primary step to successfully fulfilling God’s law is the new birth, Spiritual Regeneration; being ‘...born again...’ of God.  Then, and only then, can we begin to love God, and learn to love one another with purity of motive and purpose. (John 3:3-8)              (1 Corinthians 13:)

Christ summed up His way of fulfilling God’s Commandments by condensing the Ten Commandments into Two Commandments, as it were; Two Commandments which are based on this morning’s Bible theme of Spiritual love.  (Matthew 22:36-40)

To even try to be faithful in obeying these Two Commandments, is to manifest a Supernatural nature which has its conscience rooted firmly in love.

Look again at the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17.  The first four Commandments are primarily directed towards love for God, and instruct us in the manner we must worship Him if, indeed, we truly love Him   (i.e. His Way!)  Christ simply teaches us to love the Lord our God with our all. (Exodus 20:3-11) (John 14:6)

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”  (Matthew 22:37) (Psalm 32:11)

There then follows six further Commandments which are all directed towards our fellow man/woman.  We are to have a conscience towards all others grounded firmly in unselfish love for them. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”(Matthew 22:39) (1 John 4:20-21)

If we truly love our neighbours, we will not steal their possessions; take away their lives; covet their wives; be envious of their achievements, etc., etc.

True Spiritual love fulfils all these God-given Commandments (to the very best of one’s abilities) - and, in this Spiritual manner, fulfils God’s Law.

“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)  (Galatians 6:2)

Love on then, Christian!  God, the Holy Spirit, within you IS love’s conscience.

Thought:  She/he loves the best, who loves Love the most - for God is Love.