The Law of the Kingdom of God is Love (Part 2)

Part 2 of this short series on the Kingdom of God is in audio form only. You can listen to the message by going to the link below.

The Law of the Kingdom of God is Love - LINK

The law of God's kingdom is love - but what does this mean? 

The Law of God Gives Believers Direction

It's a blessing for believers to walk in the law of the Lord. Ps 119:1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

We are not saved by obeying the law, but by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."  

Go HERE for more on forgiveness by faith alone in Christ alone.

But once we're saved by faith alone in Christ alone, we are called to walk in the law of the Lord. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

The Law Informs Us on How to Love

Jesus said,  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (John 13:34)

If we've believed in Christ for a while, we've heard this commandment. Now, here's a diagnostic for you. 

Without referring to the word of God, how do you love your brother? What are you supposed to do to show love to your brother?

If we have an answer to this question, without referring to the word of God, then we have what's called an opinion. Because that's all that we could offer up as an answer to the question, "what are we supposed to do to show love to our brother" without the word of God as a reference. 

What Priority Should the Church Have in the Believer's Life?

What priority should the local church have in the life of a believer? It is given by the Apostle John in 1 John 3:16 as follows,

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 

The church is not a club, a social group, a local chapter of some organization. It is the living, breathing, temple of the Holy Spirit. It is the elect from every nation. It is the very people Christ came for, lived for and died for. Matt 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 

The value of the church, to the Father, is Christ, for Christ is the price he paid for it. Is 53:10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

What about Love?

John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Are you a disciple (a learner) of Christ? If we say "yes," then Jesus says that it will proven by our love for other disciples. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

You see, it's by that standard that we are proven to be disciples of Christ. Do we love our brothers and sisters in Christ?

John echoed this truth in 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.