Galatians 5:14 KJV
[14] For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
If we take a look back at the history of the 'law', we see that it was a summary of rules and regulations that God gave to his people Israel, when he called them out of the land of slavery into the land He had promised them. He wanted a code of conduct; rules they would live by so He could be with them and keep blessing them. You could then ask: 'What, then, was the expectation of God for those who were not part of Israel at the time'? This is where you also realise that God is fair to all He has created. Even right from the first family of Adam and Eve, God demanded for an account for the blood of Abel, who Cain killed due to malice. The standard of God for all of man is that we love one another, but due to the power and effect of sin, the demand of love has become a hard task. How do we get back to the ideal that is laid out in the verse above?
One key thing is relationship with God is critical to this conversation. Recall that the law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai for the people of Israel. For all who will please God, there has to be an adherence to His laid out standards. You cannot decide what God accepts, but you have to seek Him and His perfect will with all your heart. The reason why I need God's help is because by my own strength and wisdom, I cannot please God. It is not by labour or striving, but by depending on the provision of abundant grace. Whatever God commands, He will also make available the grace I need to align. And indeed, from an extract of the law, which are the 10 commandments, we see a piece of God's mind when it comes to relating with Him as well as with other people. I cannot claim to love God and at the same time, claim to hate another person made in the same way like me, and in the image of God.
It is therefore not a surprise that love is the glue that has been presented here as key to complying with the law. God wanted to lay down the rules for his people to walk with Him but He did not want to force Himself on anyone. It had to come from their hearts, and of their own freewill. If it is forced, it is not love. However, like all things that God does, I have to know that disobedience or rebellion against his commands has both earthly and eternal consequences. He will not compel me, but He will also not contend with me for ever. There are quite a number of laws given to Israel through Moses, but the summary of all of them is for me to see other people the way God sees them, and deal with them the way I would want God to deal with me. Every person who comes my way is the template on which God wants me to display His splendour and power. Would you let Him work in and through you that which is perfect? God's time of favour is here.
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