The sermon titled "Love" by Don Bell focuses on the theological significance of love as the fulfillment of the law, centered on Romans 13:7-14. The preacher argues that love should be the guiding principle of a believer’s life, emphasizing that fulfilling God's commandments is fundamentally about loving one another. He supports this assertion through various Scripture references, particularly Romans 13:8-10, which states that love does no harm to a neighbor and thus fulfills the law. The practical significance of this teaching lies in its call to Christians to cast off sinful behaviors and to embody Christ-like love, thereby reflecting the character of the Gospel in their daily lives and interactions.
Key Quotes
“Owe no man anything but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.”
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
“Knowing the time, now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”
“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
The Bible teaches that love fulfills the law, as love inherently works no ill toward others.
Romans 13:8 clearly states that we owe no man anything except to love one another, emphasizing that love is the fulfilling of the law. This principle is reiterated in Galatians 5:14, where it is said that all the law is fulfilled in one commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself. Love does not seek to harm others but promotes their well-being, which aligns with God's commandments prohibiting actions like stealing, bearing false witness, and coveting. When we love sincerely, we naturally adhere to God's moral law.
Romans 13:8-10, Galatians 5:14
Love is central to the Christian faith, as it reflects Christ’s character and fulfills God’s commandments.
Love is crucial for Christians as it is not merely an emotion but an active principle that informs our actions and relationships. Romans 13:10 states that love works no ill to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. This demonstrates that love is foundational to how we interact with others. Moreover, embodying love allows us to reflect Christ's nature and bear witness to the transformative power of the gospel. As believers are called to live in a way that glorifies God, love serves as the highest expression of that commitment.
Romans 13:10, John 13:34-35
The teachings about love in the Bible are validated through consistent scripture and the life of Jesus Christ.
The truth of biblical teachings on love is supported by multiple scriptural references and the lived example of Jesus Christ. For instance, in 1 John 4:19 it says, 'We love because He first loved us.' This underscores that the foundation of our love comes from God’s love for us. Moreover, the consistency of love being emphasized throughout the New Testament as a key commandment, coupled with Christ’s sacrificial love demonstrated on the cross, assures believers of the truth in these teachings. Thus, love is both the evidence of our faith and a reflection of God’s character.
1 John 4:19, John 15:12
The 'armor of light' represents the virtues and behaviors that Christians should embody in their conduct.
In Romans 13:12, Paul exhorts believers to put on the armor of light, which symbolizes living righteously and reflecting the character of Christ. This imagery suggests that just as soldiers wear armor for protection, Christians should adorn themselves with virtues such as purity, humility, and love. These qualities shield against the 'works of darkness' that can lead to sin and moral failure. Thus, adopting the armor of light serves as both a protection for the believer and a testament to their faith in a world often characterized by negativity and immorality.
Romans 13:12, Ephesians 6:11
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