[Arphaxad]

Originally Posted by missourimary

"For God so loved the world..." Jn 3:16 God loves humanity. There is a loving relationship between Him and His bride, but He loves everyone.




God's first and foremost command in the New Testament is that we love one another as Christ loved us. If we love one another to that depth and breadth most of the rest of the laws are unnecessary. Who would lust after a woman if they loved her and/or her husband? Who would steal or kill or lie about or to a person they loved? Standards break away from the law of love though. For instance, "Don't wear gold" is easier to teach-or for people to grasp-than "let people see the good in you, the meek, quiet spirit".

People who only love themselves, or love themselves more than others and more than God, need laws because they don't have love. People who truly love as Christ loved them don't need a set of written rules to live by. God's law is written in their hearts, and they are obedient to it.

Deut. 6:5-The first and greatest commandment.