The Law of Love


This past Tuesday in front of the State Capitol in St. Paul, Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill making same-sex marriage legal in Minnesota effective August 1, 2013. This so-called “history-making” event was attended by thousands of people. I happened to be in St. Paul that evening but was evangelizing by a lake five miles from the Capitol.

A few hours before the bill was signed, an old childhood friend who I reconnected with through Facebook posted the music video for “Love is the Law.” This song by the Suburbs was a regional hit thirty years ago. I used to like this song but was saddened to learn the Minneapolis-based group had donated use of it for the cause of “marriage equality.”

The Bible has a few things to say about the law of love…

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” - Romans 13:8

“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” - Romans 13:10

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” - Galatians 5:13-15

Same-sex marriage activists who claim to be believers need to study the Bible more. It’s hypocritical for them to preach about love when they often express hatred toward God-fearing individuals who don’t agree with their beliefs. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” One of those commandments is to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). That includes homosexuality (see Romans 1:18-32 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Jesus also said this about the last days: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matthew 24:12) People who willfully disobey God’s commandments can harden their hearts to where they become desensitized to His voice. It is only through the Holy Spirit that one can truly walk in God’s love (see Romans 5:5).

Non-Christians may demonstrate acts of kindness but cannot fully obey the law of love unless they first become born again. Then they must be willing to lay aside their own selfish desires and follow all of God commandments instead of cherry-picking those they agree with.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” - 1 John 4:7-9

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe...
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of ...
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Hallowee...
Read more