Day 24 - Love, The Royal Law | February Devotional in the Gospel of John

Monday, February 24, 2020 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Everyone knew about the Ten Commandments. Israel’s culture and religion was based on the Law that was delivered by Moses. To the Jew there was nothing greater. 

Here comes Jesus saying, “It's time for something new and better!”  The Ten Commandments was based on the performance of Jews trying to do the “do’s” and avoid doing the “don’ts.” It was a constant frustration dealing with failure and remorse. 

The New Commandment was all about loving one another. Anyone who loves will naturally keep the spirit of the commandments and properly relate to God and people. To His disciples, Jesus made it clear that living through love would best represent Himself. Looking back, we know that Jesus fulfilled the law and made it obsolete. Love made striving to keep the law unnecessary. 

James call this new commandment the Royal Law, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,‘ you do well” (James 2:8) Love is the language of the Kingdom of God.

Reflection Question: What are a couple of examples of living by the "Royal Law?"

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