We all want to know where we stand in life. We need to see whether or not we are measuring up to a standard we’ve set for ourselves. Through the stages of our lives, the yardsticks change, but the desire for progress remains.
For students, report cards provide a standard for measuring our performance. For adults in the workplace, it can be an annual review. For many, scratching an item off their to-do lists brings a smile to their faces as another goal is accomplished. For others, moving a bookmark to another page represents progress.
Those work great in the physical world. In the context of what we can see and hear and touch, tangible goals make a huge difference. But what about the spiritual world? What’s a reliable mile marker for growth in a realm that’s beyond our normal vision? It’s a fair question, and James had a reasonable answer.
As Christ followers, we know we are on track when we love others well. In fact, James didn’t just offer loving our neighbor as a suggestion or a self-help discipline. He referred to it as a law—a “royal law” established by the King of kings and Lord of lords. That means God takes loving others seriously, and we should as well.
Of course, this was not a new concept for believers. During His earthly ministry, Jesus had been asked about the greatest law. In response, He gave a twin answer: Love God and love others (Matthew 22:34–40). Even that wasn’t a radical response because He was simply quoting the standard God had established already in the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:15–18). Love has always been a part of God’s plan for His people. It’s always been a measuring stick for spiritual growth.
Admittedly, it’s a lot easier to say we love others than to actually put it into practice. Some people are just really hard to love. And if we’re honest, some people find us really hard to love. Sin has wreaked havoc on our lives and on our ability to love the way we should. That’s why we need to look to the King if we’re going to honor the royal law well.
Jesus didn’t just talk about loving others. He did it better than anyone else ever had or ever would. He set out the welcome mat for the “sinners” who were on the outside looking in. He healed the stick, showing them God’s glory. And even His enemies weren’t beyond His compassionate reach.
Then, in an “end” that really served as a beginning, He demonstrated His profound and illogical love by dying for our sins. The King lived out the royal law to perfection, and we can learn a lot from following His example.
So if you want to know if you’re “doing well” in the Christian life (James 2:8), examine the way you’re loving your neighbors each and every day. And if you find too many gaps in your love life, let your King show you how it’s done.
Written by Bob Bunn
Leave a Reply
101 thoughts on "The Royal Law of Love"
❤️
Let the King show you how it’s done! Amen
To non christians, we are the only bible they see and read. Lets give them a reason to pick up the real thing!!
Jesus followed the Royal Law to a T——- He died for us because He loved us that much. Amen! How lucky are we to have that love. I’ve noticed s spread of unkindness due to anonymity with social media. So many people have zero issues with negative comments, downright unkind, mean-spirited responses to innocent posts and I’m so astounded by it. We get to choose what to spread_ kindness to strangers to lift them up or hate to tear them down and so many are choosing hate . I’m no where near the loving person god has called of me and this reading reminds me to do better. Love as He has loved. I choose to spread kindness and love on a daily basis. What a world we would live in if even 50% of the population chose kindness first. Lord thank you for this message. Amen.
Amen!
What a great and practical devotional.
I love this. What a straightforward spiritual marker
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35 NLT
Amen
The more I study the Bible, and the expectations for being a ‘good’ Christian- the more I see that I am failing- on my own… I am mourning my sinful nature.. and I need Jesus by the hour… by the minute… I cannot live a good life on my own efforts.
Amen. Me too :/
Amen I am with you
We should follow by Jesus’ example on how to love others even when we don’t like them or for what they have done in the past Jesus loves anyway✝️✝️✝️❤️❤️❤️❤️
This was so perfect for today! I have been having animosity toward my literal neighbors. Hoping something ad would happen to them for taking advantage of our kindness. They even have a son who bullies my son. So I don’t like them. And this really hit home. Last night the neighbors son was taking something from our yard and my husband is kind. But I’m not as gracious. This is a reminder that we are still to love our neighbor. As Christians. God forgive me for my ignorance and sins. Teach me to love others how Jesus did on the cross. Dying for vile sinners such as myself. In Jesus name, ameb
Today’s reading reminded me to not let hardship make my heart hard
I want to love others the way God has called me to. I know that if I ask, God will give me the strength to love the people around me well.
Such a hard thing to do… self-examination. But so needed.
One of my coworkers is stage four ovarian cancer. This woman has been very mean and rude to me and I have really struggled with holding my tongue with her. She asked me Monday, would I work for her on Sunday. We only have one Sunday a month and I already did mine. Of all the people that work where I work, why did she ask me? However, I am going to do it. She personally came to me and said she was having chemo on Friday and would not be up to work on Sunday.
I actually feel bad for her. She’s not an older woman and the cancer has spread.
This is an opportunity for me to walk the walk and not just talk the talk. This is someone I don’t want to do favors for if the truth be known.
It’s very humbling to be kind or do a favor for some one who is mean and nasty, but you did it. Praying God’s blessings on you for doing so. ❤️
I am praying the prayer i submitted below. I want to be a real Christian.
God bless you Tanya. “And they will know we are Christians by our love! “ a hymn we used to sing at church. Praying your coworker will see the light of Jesus in you and recover.
Kudos for showing God’s love in a very difficult situation. ❤️
This may be a divine intervention to share the gospel. I pray that she finds has ears to hear sister
” God,our Father, I want to be a real Christian. Teach me the truth that I cannot love you apart from loving other, and I cannot truly love them apart from loving you. Even more, train me in your mercy to love like you love. In Jesus’ name,amen.”
Prayer from Pastor JD Walt.
To be transparent also, I struggle nightly to love our leaders. Each day a new attack on people and messages of revenge leave me so angry. So I need prayers to quiet my heart and to follow the Lord’s law. Lifting you all in prayer.
Elaine, I understand what you are experiencing. Our pastor left 3+ years ago needing a change. He has started a ministry in the wilderness BUT also started serving a Sunday a month at a Church ONE block from ours. He is an awesome orator and some left our church to follow even though it’s a different denomination. It has taken me quite awhile to get over but now I see him at our Christian camp each summer and see how happy he is. We are still looking for a new pastor and have an interim, long time to look.
I hope your Church finds healing (and you) and a new pastor.
Thanks, Donna. Emotions are raw!
This lesson really is a hard one for me right now. I am struggling with a situation at our church. Sometimes I think “Christian betrayal” is the hardest to deal with as it strikes to the depth of our souls. Our pastor resigned very suddenly and said he was physically, mentally, and spiritually exhausted. I had so much sympathy in my heart for him and wrote him a note of encouragement. This week I find out he has taken some members with him and is meeting about 10 miles from us. He told us he is not allowed to plant a new church in the community in which he lives. This is in a different county, but very close. I feel betrayed and very disappointed and I’m finding it hard to have love in my heart for him. The church that he left is only 5 years old and it is causing lots of hurt and havoc. I’m praying for God’s help and understanding through this.
I am surprised the denomination is allowing that.
You can thank God that he is no longer exhausted…
Lord, help me to love others as you love them. Help me to see them with your eyes. To hear them with your heart.
Love your neighbor as yourself is something we as believers have heard, taught, made known…to us since the beginning of our walk with Jesus! It’s hard. Yes it is! I remind myself they are created in God’s image, just like myself. AND I also remind myself, I, too am hard to love at times. I know that I know My Jesus LOVES me and LOVES them! Sigh….with that said….I have court again today to address other matters. I still get those yucky feelings, however because of Jesus, I am stronger. Speaking of which, (and I’m being transparent), I do not hate this man, but I do dislike him greatly. I do a heart search often and ask my Jesus for help. It’s hard to pray for him, so whenever I feel compelled to pray for him, I do. I’m thankful that others do pray for him. When I had my counseling appointment with Focus on the Family last year, the counselor not only prayed for me, but him as well. And boundaries are okay.
❤️✝️
What can I add to what was written or what the devotion said? Nothing! All we need to do is do it! Ask God to enlarge our hearts to love more, forgive easily, and see others through His eyes! That is my prayer and to love myself so I can love others. Sometimes, I will show others grace but not myself.
Praying over all the requests.
Amen! I echo your prayer.❤️
Lord, guide me and teach me to love the way You created me to. Amen
The other day sitting at a stop light my prayer was; Dear God I now you command us to love others, but I need your help because I really don’t like many people these days.
Total honesty here.
People have become very difficult to love. We need God’s help in this. There is evil lurking around us more than ever. I need to take a break from the news and SM. I have felt down and hopeless about people lately. There seems to be so much hate in the world. Cruelty. Even in this group there are friends that are saying harsh words to them. Hurting the friendship. It’s too much.
So back to my prayer, I need God’s help to love others as He commands. Only through Him can I manage this.
know not now
Dear Tracy, I am deeply sorry for your pain. My prayer today is that a few honest, wonderful, loyal friends would come into your life and help make you smile enjoy life so much more thank you for your honesty. You’re amazing!
You are not alone in this Traci. It is indeed hard to love others, especially those who are hateful and cruel. Someone once said and I try to remind myself of this, that Satan has them in his control and it is him we should be angry at and hate, not them. They are simply blinded to the truth. Praying for them can make such a difference – in their hearts, and in ours…and i’m speaking to myself here too! ❤️
Father, teach me to love as You love from a heart that remembers the great love you show me!
“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matt 22:36-39
Our own human nature gets in the way and makes living out this command – the royal law, much more difficult than it needs to be. I have a number of personal commitment life statements that I really try to keep in check in seeking to living the life God has called me to. One of them stems from this verse and falls in line with our devotional reading today. and it is “We are all better, when we love one another well.”
Its a good reminder for me today, to live out fulfilling the royal law and honoring God with how I conduct myself with others. Lord, lead me and guide me in loving, serving and caring for others with kindness, openness, compassion, and respect. Help me to set aside preferences or judgements that are harmful or hurtful and give me eyes that see as you do and a heart that is open and overflowing. Help me Father to make others better by loving well. Amen
❤️
The golden rule that everyone knows…yet, we still have so much trouble with! Oh I want to love everyone, I am a people person that has always worked jobs that deal with the public. But yet, there are people that are the sandpaper as they put yesterday. I am the sandpaper to many!
The one thing that has helped me greatly over the last few years is realizing that those that are not saved don’t have the Holy Spirit in them, therefore we can’t judge them as so. They are of the world, and it lets me see them as someone that deserves the same mercy that was granted to me. I was of the world, you were of the world…..then, He touched me. (I just listened to that old hymn) He touched me and something happened. I saw the light and it changed me. And it gives me an understanding of how others need that touch of Jesus. We have the OPPORTUNITY to love others well and show Jesus in that way. It’s easy to love the lovable people, but the unlovable put up even more of a facade that is usually from hurt. When we show them grace and care, oh how it can break the ice slowly. It changes us too. When we love well, we are loving Jesus well. May it be so, may I KEEP working on this. To break strongholds of stalemates. To break unforgiveness and stubborn strongholds. To put a bridge when there is a gap in misunderstandings or sides.
Thank you Jesus for loving us in our unloving attitudes and that you keep working in us and shaping us. Let us leave judgement to you. You want none to perish apart from you, and it is our duty to work the fields all around us. We have more opportunities than ever in this time! It should excite us Lord! Bring us divine moments! Help us to listen, and then seize the opportunities, the divine moments! We want your Glory to be seen in us! May it be so! In Your name!
“…it lets me see them as someone that deserves the same mercy that was granted to me.” — How true this is and a good reminder that I was just as lost as the next person at one time in my life and God in His great mercy called me from darkness to light!…nothing that I did, only God!
Loved this also.
❤️
The topic of loving others, especially today, is hard. I spoke up to my best friend about her getting married after only 4 months of knowing the person. I was respectful and deeply intentional that I love my friend. She was not happy and spoke her peace. But I was still very intentional of letting her know that I would support this decision if she was sure and that no matter what I’m always here for her. Yesterday, I found out that she stopped being my friend on social media. And when I tell you that this has hurt me so deeply. And the immediate reaction was “all the ways I’ve been there for her when she had no one” but I love how the Spirit nudged me to a “I love you no matter what” mentality. I’m still hurt but I also messaged her that I love her no matter what and when she’s ready, I’m here. So today’s message was like a hug I needed.
That’s a tough one, I’m so sorry – but you did say what you needed to say and one day she will realize it was because you care deeply for her.
I wonder if the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” is a command to love ourselves first/most…or because God knows there is no one I love more than myself, so that would be a good starting point to loving others? It may not look like love, but there is no one else who’s self, comfort, reputation, desires, joy, etc etc etc I desire and pursue more than my own. Convicting.
We literally have neighbors (next door) that are not the easiest to love. However, what they do/say isn’t given a caveat in God’s word. I am responsible for my response. It is difficult and I am imperfect, but this message is convicting.
I’m so glad that we can go to God and HE can SHOW us how to love. In my own capacity, there are times when I cannot. But I can go to my God and request help and He can show me. I’m so grateful for His help and love
So good. ❤️
Amen, I love this! ❤️
May the Holy Spirit convict us when we are not demonstrating love to everyone!
Amen sister!! ❤️
Amen
Thank you for living out this royal law of loving others by praying for Nev and family. We know where our strength comes from. Surgery went well. His 6+ hour surgery was successful in replacing his aortic root and they didn’t have to replace his valve. PTL! Prayer is POWERFUL! Continued prayer for his recovery.
That’s a praise!!
Praise the Lord! Prayers for a quick recovery.
Praise the Lord!
The “royal law” isn’t complicated:
Love God, Love people, Fulfill God’s will
.
Leviticus gives the command “Love your neighbor as yourself, I am the Lord”
.
Jesus elevates the command in Matthew “Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets depend on these two commands.”
.
Romans shows the fulfillment of Gods law “Love your neighbor as yourself”.
.
James identifies it as the royal law of love and ties it not showing favoritism “if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scriptures, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.
.
Lord, help me to live out your royal law of love. Teach me to see others as you see them and to act toward them with kindness, fairness, and compassion. Let love guide my thoughts, words and actions so that my life reflects your heart.
❤️
If love is the fulfillment of law (Romans 13), then I really struggle with the whole fire and brimstone taught in most churches today. If God’s love is abounding and he’s a merciful God (mercy triumphs judgment) then how would he send us away from Him to hell for eternity? I do believe we will be refined but I don’t think, even for non-believers (whose knees will eventually bow) will be sent away from God’s love forever.
Interesting thought, Amanda. I too have many questions like this.
We all have a choice to make to choose God’s love. He gave us the ability to make decisions- free will. If we don’t choose His love then it is clear in His Word that we will not be an heir to His kingdom. It can be hard to grasp, but God is not going to force His love on anyone. We have to choose.
It’s interesting to me that you said most churches today are teaching “fire and brimstone,” because in my experience the opposite is true; churches focus on God’s love to the point of forgetting about His holiness. That’s the only thing I have in response to your question—God is fully love AND fully holy, and His holiness cannot abide sin. Like someone else said, He gives everyone the ability to choose. He doesn’t want us to mindlessly love Him because we have no choice, and it also brings Him no pleasure when people choose not to be in relationship with Him. I do get where you’re coming from! It makes Revelation a tough read, that’s for sure.
I thought the same Emily! Most churches the last couple of decades have gone to the Grace side, with not much Holiness as you put it! I think of 80’s as the fire and brimstone days of preaching!! But they are good to know because you need to know the bad news sometimes first before you know just how good the good news is!!
There is indeed separation and a hell, Jesus talks about it a lot!! It is not just old testament. And WE need to be truthful because today many, many people, even Christians, can think all roads lead to God. But we have to know truth!
That’s the great thing about Our Lord God! In the end everyone will know his name and every knee shall bow and everyone will have a choice to come to the table or turn away! We are His messengers to share His good news around the world and to show everyone what it looks like to follow Our Lord God so when the time comes everyone will know which side to choose.
I understand why it’s hard to believe God would send anyone to hell. In Christianity, though, the idea isn’t that God eagerly pushes people away—it’s that He gives us real freedom. We’re able to choose right or wrong, and ultimately whether to accept or reject Him.
Through Jesus, forgiveness is offered to everyone. But Scripture also warns that a person can hear the truth so often that their heart becomes hardened—they stop understanding, stop listening, and no longer want to turn back and be healed.
So the issue isn’t just about being ‘a sinner,’ because everyone falls short. The deeper question is whether someone is willing to receive grace or continue rejecting it. In Christian belief, hell isn’t so much God forcing people away as it is the final result of choosing separation from Him. God offers relationship—but He doesn’t force it.
God doesn’t send anyone to hell. He’s given every person on earth the opportunity at some point in time to choose to come to him. Yes, he holds the keys to death and hell, and he ultimately knows who will choose what, but he doesn’t directly send any one person to hell. That’s completely unbiblical.
So what you are saying is, when we are faced with THE Truth-Jesus Himself-some we will be able to willfully walk away? Doesn’t it say every knee will bow?
It is so hard for our finite minds and hearts to grasp both the love and justice of an holy God. I can only go with what He says in His word, even if it’s hard or painful for me to understand. He says that those who do not believe in and are not covered by the blood of Christ will be separated from Him forever. This is one of the (many) times I have thoughts or feelings and God’s word clearly says something different. Only one can be true, so I trust the Word of God and believe that our good God will do what is right. ❤️
Rachel, where does it say you’re not covered by Christ’s blood? I don’t think that’s in the bible.
Amanda I can understand your feelings and thoughts of God’s love and what He would and wouldn’t do – some things in scripture don’t make sense to us and are hard to understand. But I must also say that God very clearly in His word tells us that all who reject Him will be separated from Him for all eternity. God loves us so much, He sent Jesus to bridge the gap of eternity lost. God’s love sent Jesus to the cross. God’s love offers salvation to all. But, to reject God and His salvation is a free will of man. It doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love those who are lost, but like all else there are consequences for sin and rejecting salvation. That’s why it is so important for us as believers to share the good news of the gospel to others. I hope this helps give you a better understanding of God’s love. ❤️
God is merciful, that is why He sent Jesus, so we could choose. God provided a way for us to escape His judgement, but again, we must choose that way or we will suffer His just judgement. It’s our choice. We all deserve hell, but in His mercy He gave us a way out. That is how mercy triumphs over justice. All of His Word is true and we have to accept it as so, even the hard parts. Not only is God a god of Love, He is also a just God.
Love and mercy… help me to show both Lord. In Jesus name. Amen
In a world obsessed with progress and getting ahead, this idea of love as a measuring tool for our walk with God is very functionally profound. The pastor at our church often talks about having a “submission competition” — basically, creating a personal relationship challenge of trying to outdo one another in loving actions and reactions. It’s not an easy challenge!!
–
This whole content today is actually a tough one for me. A friend, who is a close friend but not a Christian, made an intentionally harsh, hurtful statement this weekend to me. Or rather, AT me. Part of it was out of her own hurt, part of it out of a “hierarchical” mindset she was raised with. If you need to feel/be superior in life, an argument, a relationship– find reason to put the other one down. The thing is, typically I could let this go because she’s operating out of a mindset I don’t subscribe to, therefore it doesn’t pertain to me, therefore – toss it out and move on. But what she said/how she hurt hit a nerve that was already tender and weak. I’ve reeled over it since Saturday. I hear it again and again in my head and i’m hurt and angry all over again. Just in raw honesty, I have no desire to repair or love. If any of you put any stock/understanding into enneagram personality types- I’m a very strong 8. Meaning, when in a situation like this, with a comment like hers, I’m just done. I can very easily walk away from almost a decade of relationship without so much as an afterthought. Her comment was betrayal of our friendship and me as a human.
The thing is, in this earthly order of life, I do have every right to walk away and be done. But as these passages so rudely expose (wink wink), I’m not of this world therefore the rule of order I am called to follow isn’t either. Just brutal honesty (and a transparent demonstration of where on the yardstick I am) – I don’t WANT to demonstrate love. I want to demonstrate cause/reaction as SHE, as a non-believer, understands it. I am aware of how wrong that is. I’m just having a really hard time getting my emotions to regulate to where my mind/knowledge of Truth is. I’m hurt, with every right to be hurt. She has no idea the depth of pain her words caused. She feels justified in what she said, then moved on as if nothing happened. I don’t know – I’m rambling now, I’m aware. It’s 6 in the morning, I get to ramble a little lol ;) ;)
Sorry – I’ll be praying through this today, I really will, because above all I do want to honor God. I want him to be glorified and worshiped through the way I handle sin that’s been spewed onto me by others. Just not 100% sure of the “how” yet…
Words do hurt. (Hugs) Praying for clarity, next steps, as you follow in obedience to what God has called you to do.
Heidi, I’m really thankful for your honesty this morning. This situation is something I can relate to and admittedly there have been many times I have not handled it in ways that honor Him! Ugh! Praying for you and for your friend!
do you know what I find interesting… I work with people I would say very near to death. I have a patient who is 94, lived through world war 2 in berlin. but those moments are not the ones that bother her this late in life, she has made peace with that part of her life. what she continually tells me (nearly a stranger) is a story, very similar to what you described here. although it was a Christian friend who said something very hateful to her in a Bible study! I agreed with her that it was wrong, and she walked away from that friendship. and yet at 94 years old she’s sitting here wanting validation from me about something that happened in her 30s. I think that’s the point of forgiveness.. that wam was very toxic, and should certainly not be feeding into her life, but maybe she is holding on to it bc she never let it go.. it causes me to wonder a lot. what am I going to be holding onto at 94, telling a perfect stranger about lol
Thank you for your honesty Heidi. I have a similar situation with my DIL who fights with hurtful words and texts which has caused division in our family through the years. this is something I pray about daily
This forum is a real blessing to hear the WORD and struggle to apply. I learn from each response here.
Today I am challenged by remembering Jesus has bought my life with a price I could never repay. Galatians 2:20 continually calls me back”It is no longer I who live, BUT Christ who lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. “
I can’t do this thing in my flesh, Lord Jesus be my strength for me. Amen
Like Mary I pray, Lord may it be to me as you have said! Amen
What do we let get in the way of us loving others? What excuse do we use?
A grudge?
A real or perceived slight or unfairness at some point in the past?
Jealousy?
Are we keeping score? Let’s not. Forgive and then hand it over to God. Lay it down at the foot of the Cross and move on.
Lots of work to do on this.
.
B praying your spirits are lifted up today
LANIE H praying for Iris’ total healing
SUSAN BURLEY ❤️
KRISTIN GRIMES ❤️
MELANI FRYER praying for Nev
TRACI GENDRON praying for Tom’s children and the work I’d the Word in their hearts and minds
KERRY ROWLEY praying for safety in your travels and amidst the seat jostling :)
Thank you for putting this so plainly… often this is a struggle or a way of self preservation, but I love how simple you’ve reminded me it is too.. “lay it down and move on”
Praying over the requests
Thank you so much for continuing to pray for me. ❤️
❤ amen!
James 2:13
“For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
.
Lotd, help me show love and mercy to others as You have shown them to me.
.
MELANI FRYER – praying Nev’s surgery went well and his recovery will be smooth.
.
Have a doublely good day (Gen. 1:9-13)!
❤️
❤
♥️
Let’s face it, I am not everyone’s cup of tea, or to everyone’s liking!
I am sure if you are reading this you’re thinking the same. If not, please tell me/us your secret..
No matter how we conduct ourselves, to some, we may not reach ‘their mark of excellence ‘ or be good enough! I guess that’s okay, because …
.
BUT GOD..
.
To Him, we tick all the boxes, whatever we look like or dress like, or speak like, our jobs, or the way we love to hug others, or genuinely care about others..
.
He sees us and He loves us regardless of how the world sees us.
To walk like Jesus, or at least be like Jesus, we first need to know, know, know Him. We need to understand and get the measure of His love for us, and the reason He died for us.
.
For no other reason other than LOVE..
.
HE LOVES US.
.
So in living in His gift of love for us, we should, if we are intending, and please God we are, to live as we are loved, love without malice, without judgement, without question, the way we are loved by One who gave His life as evidence of His love for us..
Loving others may not be easy, but by His grace and His gift of love over us, we can make an effort to do so, you know what, starting with ourselves!
.
Whitney sang of “learning to love yourself, it is the greatest love of all!”
.
That’s a start!
.
AMEN.
.
Happy Tuesday my dears, wrapped in love, hugs and prayers for all..❤️
❤️
I agree. It’s helps me to literally think “god loves this person” and imagine them as a little kid. That helps me to overlook their past or whatever was done and ‘lay it down and move on’.
“Lay it down and move on” – I so agree, but it is the exact sticking point for me unfortunately. I spend an inordinate amount of time picking it back up, hashing it over in my mind, thinking my prayer to God must’ve had an expiration date as I’ve not gotten my answer so round and round I go. Ugh. How to lay it down and LEAVE it…..
Mae, I’ve been there too. It is SO hard to leave it – I am much more prone to being like a little kid with a scab, picking at it until it bleeds all over again. BUT I take heart in the fact that the Lord understands this about our sinful hearts and He gives us the direction for those moments. He calls us to forgive “seventy times seven times” – and, I think, that doesn’t just apply to multiple offenses. He is truly calling us to CONTINUE to choose forgiveness each and every time that we remember and think back on that moment. Each time we go to “pick at that scab” we are being granted an opportunity to choose forgiveness – and everytime that we make that choice and choose love and mercy, we are forming the “muscle memory” for future forgiveness.
Kira, thanks for that! I am usually so focused on trying to stop thinking about it, it never really occurs to me to see it as an ‘opportunity’ to exercise my choice – to forgive. I appreciate your reply!!
Tina I’m so glad you mentioned starting by loving ourselves. In each passage today it said to love your neighbor as yourself. I’ve noticed often people stop at love your neighbor. They forget there’s more to the verse. We have to be loving to ourselves so we can love others and that can be letting ourselves experience God’s gracious and merciful love.
Hi all! I’m really struck today by how Romans describes love as our “primary duty”. I don’t think I tend to consider love a “duty”, but I love how seriously loving others is taken. I think it’s quite radical in today’s era!! And our yardsticks for “doing well” in our faith and in life are so rarely measured by against how loving we are being – career, family, success etc easily takes over. But I’m committed to loving more!
❤️