LOVE > LAW
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus declared that He came 'not to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them.' The Law refers to the Torah, or the first five books of the Bible, and the Prophets, the writings of the messengers who were sent to correct Israel's failures in adhering to God's commands. The Law was intended to provide structure for living a righteous life, but it became burdensome under the Pharisees' strict interpretations. This led to a disconnect between God's intentions and the Israelites' experience of joy and intimacy with Him. Jesus clarifies that fulfilling the Law goes beyond mere adherence to rules; He calls for a deeper commitment to embodying God's heart, emphasizing the importance of love and grace over legalism. He challenges His followers to pursue a higher standard of righteousness, one that is impossible to achieve on their own, thereby redirecting their reliance on Him. Ultimately, living in the Counter Kingdom means understanding the spirit of the Law as a manifestation of God's love, rather than viewing it as a set of restrictions.
“The law works fear and wrath; grace and love work hope and mercy.”
Martin Luther
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, acknowledging the importance of Your Law as a guide for righteous living. Yet, we also recognize the danger of legalism, which can lead to a disconnect between Your intentions and our experiences. Help us to understand the true spirit of the Law, which is rooted and Your love and compassion. May we strive to embody Your heart in our interactions with others, rather than simply adhering to rules and regulations. Grant us the courage to pursue a higher standard of righteousness, one that is impossible to achieve on our own. May we rely on Your grace and strength to live lives that reflect Your love. As men in the Counter Kingdom, may we be known for our compassion and understanding, especially towards those who may have fallen short of Your standards. Help us to extend your love and forgiveness to all, regardless of their circumstances. Inspire us to be agents of transformation, working to restore broken families, and uplift those who are struggling. May our actions demonstrate the power of Your love and the transformative impact of living by Your principles.
In Jesus' name, Amen
This devotional is from Counter Kingdom, the newest Patros Video series. It’s officially out!
You can get access to the whole series plus additional men’s discipleship resources for free at patros.us.