True Love!

For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as  yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”GALATIANS 5:14 AMP

First of all, there is nothing like a 'lawless' society. A society can choose to ignore the laws that apply to it, or the laws may not be strong or comprehensive enough to cover all areas of human imagination, but in all areas of life, there are rules, regulations and obligations that apply. The same is true in the spiritual: at different times, God had placed obligations and codes of behavior before his people, and demanded obedience from them.

In the old testament, there are over 6,000 rules, ranging from interactions with God, man and other created things. I am not sure there's an area of human interaction that God has not covered. In today's extract, there is a summary of the thousands of rules governing human relationships, and the summary is 'Love'. When I am tempted to insist on my own way, to the detriment of other people, God reminds me to put other people's interests first. When it appears that my friend is progressing and I'm standing still,  and envy wants to rear its head, I am reminded that God loves me and gives grace to enable me show the same. When offences come, and I am tempted to retaliate and give as good as I get, I am reminded again that it was love that paid the price for my own offence.

In all areas of human endeavour, as long as I have to relate with another person, I must give room for friction and tension. Only as I respond in love do I prove my understanding and appreciation of all that I have received from God. His love shone through when he died for me, even when I had not even seen, known, acknowledged or appreciated him. That's love: shown even when the target does not care. I do not wait for the other person to be worthy of my love; I give it anyway. I do not wait for the other person to reciprocate the love; I simply pour out the love of God in my heart and through my life and trust that it will make impact in the hands of him who asks me to obey. Can you trust God with your heart and let his love shine through? His time of favour is here.