Seeking Jesus First Apr. 10, 2025
Grace does not excuse us from doing good. Grace empowers us to be godly. God forgave our sins because He loves us, but God’s love does not excuse us from doing good. We are commanded to love one another, and love does not harm. Love is the fulfillment of the law.
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:8–10, NKJV)
The Ten Commandments commanded, “You shall not!” The New Covenant commands, “You shall!”
The negative commandment tells us not to steal. The New Covenant commands us to give.
The Law commands us not to murder. We are made in Christ a life giving spirit. How can we murder?
The Law commands us not to lie. The Spirit of truth dwells in us. How can we lie?
The Law commands us not to commit adultery. The fruit of the born again spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. How can we commit adultery?
The New Covenant removes the consciousness of sin through the death of Jesus on the cross. “Christ died for sins, once for all.” “Himself bore our sins on a tree, and we, having died to sin, live to righteousness, with whose stripes we were healed.” “He who knew no sin, was made to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Our Covenant in Christ Jesus imparts the divine nature of God to us through His Holy Spirit. We have been given everything that pertains to life and godliness. We have received positive commands that produce life and not death. We are free from the guilt and condemnation of sin. However, we are now alive to righteousness, godliness and love. The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit gives birth to the nature of God within us. The nature of God removes the need for a negative commandment because love does not need to be told to stop hurting others.