The Kingdom Glow

I attended college in the fall of 2016 to the end of spring 2017. During my spring semester, I was enrolled in Calculus II. A class that I would not ever want to go back to, for many reasons other than merely the work. Before the class began on my list of supplies to purchase was a graphing calculator. In our local neighborhood Walmart, I proceeded to buy a calculator and if you are like me, you will begin to pick up items you do not need. I went through self-checkout with a full basket and the calculator was completely forgotten about. As I scan all my items and not double check, the calculator is laying in my basket just at the perfect angle out of my eyesight. As I was walking out of the store, an alarm signalling for an unpaid purchase began ringing by the door. I looked around questionably and continued to walk to my car. While placing my bags into my car, I see lying at the bottom of my basket is the calculator. Feeling completely guilty and ashamed, I jumped in the car, never to return to that Walmart again. The same has happened to me with salt and pepper shakers a few months ago, so it is easy and definitely possible to unintentionally break the law, in my case shoplifting.

However, reading a prompt like this allows my spirit to immediately think of God’s Law. Not the law of sin and death, but the new law of Christ Jesus, the law of love given by our heavenly Father.

Have you ever unintentionally broken the law? Let’s start by examining what Jesus says about love and the law.

‭[37] Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40

Many believers break the law of love many times, including I. The law of love is extremely hard to fulfill when it comes to loving enemies, releasing old grudges and not keeping count of wrongs. Enemies are our neighbors too and God cares more about how you treat and love those people more than the people who love you. Your blessings and rewards are tied to the way you love those that do not love you. Don’t let your unforgiveness be a blockage to your blessings!

‭‭[27] “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Luke 6:27-28

‭‭[35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 6:35

A few more of my favorite scriptures pertaining to the commandments and love are as follows:

[8] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. [9] The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Romans 13:8-10

[8] If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. [9] But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. [10] For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. [11] For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. [12] Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [13] because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:8-13

Always remember no one is perfect, except Jesus and we are all progressing to be holier people each day. Pray for one another and assist the body of Christ to better themselves always. Edify each other with your God given gifts and continue to speak truth to one another with love. It’s the small steps, at a time, that God will reward along the way. Remain in His presence to love everyone you pass by and eventually it will feel effortless! Shalom, brothers and sisters.

*Grammatical errors may occur