And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard it from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 2 John 6

A fourth principle for interpreting the Law of God will go something like this: If what I understand from the Law is not directing me in how to love God and my neighbor, I’m not quite finished with my interpretation.

Jesus taught us that love for God and neighbor is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 22.34-40). How can we think otherwise? The Law of God is not for indicting wicked sinners. Not merely for indicting them, that is. The Law wants indicted sinners to learn to love God and their neighbors so that they will admit their sinfulness and willingly turn from it to follow the path of love. If we fail to show them that path, by not walking in ourselves, and instead only brandish the Law as a kind of school marm’s ruler on the bare knuckles of their sins, they’ll never get to the place where God wants them to be.

We must allow the Law to shape our minds and hearts for love. Our study of the Law is not complete until we feel more inclined to seek and serve the Lord and more eager to respect and care for our neighbors, and to seek their wellbeing in all things.

I’ll say this one more time: The Law is given to guide us the way of love.

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