Day 228: Psalms 102-104; Romans 14

The law of love, agape love, governs all we do. I am glad Romans 14 is included in the Scripture. It reminds me that followers of Jesus have convictions. Convictions matter, but they are just that. My convictions may not be the same as yours, for they grow out of my personal relationship with Jesus and those around me. Just as every child is unique and must be 'trained up in the way they should go' according to their need, so I believe it is with us. You and I may share the same convictions...we may not. Ultimately what we each do with Jesus will be our personal accountability (Romans 14:12). We cannot force our personal convictions on another person.

On the other hand, the law of love calls me to live God's way...to love Him with every fiber of my being and, yes, to love my neighbor as myself. This governs all my thoughts and actions. That's why there are boundaries that apply to us all...every one. It's why we don't dismiss the Ten Commandments, for they are based on the law of love. There are somethings I simply cannot do if I want to live in love God's way. These are not convictions, and God's Word will hold us each to account. Live in love with God, you will love others, and the law of love is not a burden.

Love goes the extra mile. If my freedom truly offends you in your conviction (I am not talking about legalistic Christians who make their convictions everyone else's), and may cause you to lose your way, then I will sacrifice this freedom to live by a greater freedom...the freedom to choose love.  For, the law of love is the law of the Kingdom of God, and the Kingdom of God is first and foremost right-living, shalom, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). This kind of love, says Jesus, will become a witness to our world (John 13:34-35). We put the interests of others above ourselves, embrace the attitude of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-5) and love everyone for Jesus' sake. As Paul has said: Owe no one anything except to love them God's way, for the one who loves has fulfilled God's law (Romans 13:8).