Friday, 18 September 2026

Romans part 200 - Life in the Body 25

Tweet

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the Torah.

The message of today's verse is very popular in its misunderstood form. Is it true, "We don't need commandments, all we need is love?" That error leads to loving sin. Love is usually characterized in error as an emotion, but emotional love is not rooted properly. It is out of balance. Love must be rooted in seeking the betterment of another through the discernment and power of the Holy Spirit (drawing nearer to God), especially as we prefer others above self.

In light of that definition, it is easy to see how "seeking the improved well-being of another" includes fulfilling the Torah. Jacob 1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect Torah, the Torah that gives freedom, and continues in it, not becoming a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts - he shall be blessed in what he does.

Solomon addressed the wisdom and understanding that comes to those who keep God's Word. Proverbs 3:17-18 Her (speaking of the Torah of God) ways are pleasant ways, and all of her paths are shalom. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and blessed will be all who hold firmly to her.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil is an imposter. The lie is that partaking of that tree will make us like God. Eating from the tree of life is the way of God. Revelation 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Ruach is saying to Messiah's communities. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the Paradise of God. This is exactly what God prevented by kicking Adam and Eve out of the garden.

1 John 4:7-8 Loved ones, let us love one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

But love does not exist in a vacuum. Hear Yeshua's words ... John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. There, our love of Yeshua is preeminent and the connection of our love to our obedience to Him is made clear. Shalom shalom.