“For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.» Romans 13:9-10

Perhaps you don’t plan on stealing or committing adultery or any of these other sins in the near future. But, it is good for us to know the heart-root of these sins and the way to battle against them. Have you ever heard of adultery being portrayed as «love»?

According to this passage of God’s word, that is impossible. Love thy neighbor and commit adultery (even heart adultery) are impossible. Mark it down that instead of love, great damage and harm to self and others is the result. Love thy neighbor and covet what he has is impossible. Love thy neighbor and murder (even heart murder) are polar opposites.

In all of these sins, the root is selfishness. The source is a desire to fulfill my desires regardless of who I may hurt in the process. This is proud, arrogant dedication to self. God calls us to the opposite, namely, love. Love seeks to bless others and seeks their true good.

Instead of working ill or harm to his neighbor, love seeks to reflect God’s glory in working good to that neighbor. Today, may we renounce dedication to self and freshly desire to please God above all else. One chief way we please God is by seeking to be a blessing to those around us. May God fill our hearts with His love that it may spill over from us to others.

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