A New Commandment!

          It is very obvious to me that Jesus summed-up the entire Law of Moses in one word—LOVE—which, in my opinion, made things much simpler for those of us who call ourselves “Christians.” However, for reasons beyond me, it seems that most believers spend much more energy trying to keep the “impossible-to-keep” Ten Commandments, than they ever spend trying to learn to practice love. There is probably a good reason for this: practicing love makes us vulnerable; keeping the commandments does not. 

          I find it interesting that Jesus used the term “new” in describing His commandment—a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another (John 13:34 NASB; emphasis added). Again, there is probably good reason for this: The Jews made every effort to keep the Ten Commandments, but their effort was seldom coupled with love, probably never. Even a casual reading of Matthew 23 will confirm that their “effort” was about self-righteousness, and not about love. As a result, Jesus said (for all our benefit!) that He is giving us His new commandment, the commandment to love. Law without love profits nothing and leads to certain death! 

          Keeping the Sabbath Day holy without love impresses God, not one whit.

          Avoiding lying without love fetches you, not one brownie point.

          Avoiding idols without love makes one an idol worshipper.

          Take the Lord’s name in vain with love is an oxymoron.

          Giving honor to one’s father & mother without love does not gain an inheritance.

          Refusing to murder without love is the same as hating your brother, which is murder.

          Refusing to commit adultery without love makes one an adulterer, none the less.

          Refusing to steal without love doesn’t profit the thief.

          Refusing to bear false witness against your neighbor without love profits zilch.

Avoiding coveting without love is much the same as the noisy clanging of cymbals—it doesn’t make music. 

          May I suggest that you take your focus off the Old Covenant of Law and place it on The New Covenant of Grace, focusing, especially, on Jesus’ New Commandment, the commandment to love?

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).