New True

8.23.2010

Jeremiah 31:33 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ESV

In 1 John 4, the apostle John assures us that God is love. He didn’t mean that God is an emotion or feeling, but that God Himself is the truest expression of love that we’ll ever know because God is Himself the truest expression of love.

Love is not law. Love can express itself through a law – thou shalt not kill; that’s an expression of love that says, control yourself and look out for the needs of others; but laws are not love; love is love. True love is not romance, although we love to see love that way. Romance tends to be selfish; how can I get what I want from this person? True love goes out of its way to show the deepest care and concern for the welfare of others and will do everything in its power to put the needs of others above its own. You cannot legislate that – it has to be an act of the will but it has to be motivated by something other than just the mind, will, and emotions; it has to be motivated by divine power and presence – and only God can do that.

When Jeremiah speaks of the new covenant, he’s speaking of God putting Himself into us by His Spirit in order that we may truly love. Without Him we are devoid of love and thereby unable to truly relate to others by which they are selflessly honored, royally respected, compassionately cherished, passionately protected, and heroically helped. We can only do that if God empowers us to do that by His love.

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for the New Covenant by which You make our hearts Your home and by which You guide our lives in true love. True love needs no law – only Your power and presence. May I walk in the freedom of the New Covenant this day loving You and loving others by the Spirit of Christ in me – in His Name, amen.