13.6 Summary
Divine Love as the Heart of the Law

Lesson 13 leads us to the heart of the Christian faith: God’s Law is an expression of His love, and true love is the fulfillment of this Law. It’s not about external duty, but about a heart renewed by God, obeying out of love.

13.1 The Law of Love

The Ten Commandments reflect God’s love:

• Love for God (Commandments 1–4)

• Love for one’s neighbor (Commandments 5–10)

Jesus sums them up by saying: “Love the Lord… and your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37–40).
The Law shows what lived-out love looks like—concrete, genuine, and binding.

13.2 The Law Is Holy, Righteous, and Good

Paul emphasizes that the Law remains valid even after the cross (Rom. 7:12).
It is not the enemy of grace but reveals God’s character and our need for salvation.
The Law uncovers sin—Christ is the answer to our guilt.

13.3 Law and Grace

In Jeremiah 31, God promises a new covenant: The Law will no longer be merely on stone tablets but written on hearts.
Jesus calls this “rebirth”—a new heart, renewed by the Spirit (John 3).
Law and grace belong together:

• Grace saves us

• The Law shows us the way

We do not keep the Law to be saved, but because we are saved.

13.4 Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

Love goes beyond “not doing” wrong—it acts positively.
Jesus highlights “justice, mercy, and faithfulness” as the most important aspects of the Law (Matt. 23:23).
In particular, the Sabbath reminds us not only of Creation but also of liberation and social justice (Deut. 5; Isa. 58).
True fulfillment of the Law means: refraining from evil and doing good.

13.5 Above All, Love One Another

Love is the mark of true discipleship.
James warns against outward piety without mercy.
Jesus says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
Ellen White writes: Whoever loves the world as Christ does already carries heaven in their heart.

Conclusion

God’s Law shows us what love looks like.
Grace gives us the power to live this life.
In Christ, both are fulfilled: the Law is lived out because love dwells within us.

True discipleship means:

• Growing in love

• Living in grace

• And joyfully keeping the Law through the Spirit of God

“For love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)
That is the goal—and the fruit—of a life with God.

The central message of this lesson—love is the fulfillment of the Law—applies not only to our theological understanding but also very concretely to our everyday life:

1. Lived-Out Love in Daily Life

God’s commandments are not a theoretical moral code but a guide for how we interact with others:

• In the family: patience, forgiveness, respect (Honor your father and mother)

• In the workplace: honesty, integrity, fairness (You shall not steal, you shall not lie)

• In society: justice, neighborly love, compassion (Love your neighbor)

Love is shown not in words alone, but in action—empathy, sharing, helping.

2. Grace Softens Our Hearts

God’s grace changes us from within. Those who experience God’s love want to keep His commandments—not out of compulsion but out of gratitude.
This changes our motivation:

• No longer obedience out of duty, but a heartfelt relationship

• Not “I must live rightly,” but “I want to live as Christ loves me.”

3. The Law Provides Orientation

In a time of moral confusion, the Law is like a compass:

• It helps us make good decisions

• It protects our relationships

• It prevents self-deception

But the compass alone is not enough—we also need the “wind of the Spirit” to move us: law and grace together lead to a life in Christ.

4. Love as Preparation for Eternal Life

Heaven is a place of love. Anyone who wants to live there must learn to love here and now.
Every act of love—every reconciliation, every sacrifice, every service—is a preparation for eternity.
“If we love the world as Christ does, then we already carry heaven within us.” – E. G. White

Conclusion for Daily Life

• Act out of love, not just out of duty

• Trust in grace, not in achievement

• Live the Law not as a burden, but as an expression of your renewed heart

• See in each person an opportunity to make Jesus visible

For where love is lived out, God’s Law is fulfilled—and God Himself becomes visible.

True love is not shown by words alone, but in everyday life—where God’s Law becomes evident.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-13-love-is-the-fulfillment-of-the-law-13-6-summary-the-god-of-love-and-justice-living-faith/

March 28, 2024

DAILY BIBLE READING – Offenbarung Chapter 3

1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

King James Version. Public Domain

 

Commentary

Introduction

Revelation chapter 3 continues the seven letters of Jesus to the churches in Asia Minor. These are not abstract prophecies but concrete messages from Jesus to real churches—filled with praise, admonition, promise, and warning. The words reflect not only the situation of the Christians of that time but also conditions in today’s churches and our personal faith lives. Chapter 3 includes the last three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.

Commentary

5.Sardis – Alive in Reputation, Dead in Spirit

• Praise: Only a few are spoken well of—they have not soiled their garments.

• Rebuke: You have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. A superficial Christianity without spiritual substance.

• Call: Wake up, strengthen what remains, remember the gospel, and repent!

• Warning: If you do not wake up, Christ will come like a thief—unexpectedly and with judgment.

• Promise: The one who overcomes will walk in white garments, his name will remain in the book of life, and Christ will confess him before the Father.

  Core Message: Spiritual life cannot be faked. Wake up—before it’s too late!

6.Philadelphia – Little Strength, but Faithful

• Praise: You have kept my word and have not denied my name—even with little strength.

• Comfort: Christ opens a door that no one can shut.

• Promise: Protection in the coming trial, public recognition through God’s work, and an eternal place in God’s temple.

• Call: Hold on to what you have so that no one can take your crown away.

  Core Message: Faithfulness counts more than outward strength. Whoever endures will be exalted and preserved by God.

7.Laodicea – Tepid, Self-Satisfied, Blind

• Rebuke: You are neither hot nor cold—but tepid. Spiritually sluggish, self-sufficient, and blind to your own need.

• Warning: Because of this, Christ will spit you out—a strong image of rejection.

• Advice: Buy genuine gold (spiritual wealth), white garments (purity), and eye salve (spiritual sight).

• Love: The correction comes from love—Christ disciplines those he loves.

• Invitation: Jesus stands at the door and knocks—personal fellowship is possible.

• Promise: Whoever overcomes will sit with Christ on his throne.

  Core Message: Spiritual self-satisfaction is dangerous. Repentance leads to true fellowship with Christ.

Summary

In these last three letters, a broad spectrum of spiritual conditions is revealed:

• Sardis: Outwardly alive, inwardly dead—needs awakening.

• Philadelphia: Weak but faithful—will be preserved.

• Laodicea: Self-assured but spiritually blind—needs repentance.

Each church is addressed individually—Jesus knows their hearts. Yet, all are given a chance to repent and a great promise if they overcome.

Message for Us Today

These texts call us to honest self-examination. We too can fall into one of the three categories:

• Do you live only by reputation, or are you truly spiritual?

• Are you weak but faithful? Then stick with it—God sees your heart.

• Have you become complacent and think you need nothing? Then open your heart anew to Jesus.

Jesus calls us to vigilance, faithfulness, and repentance. He does not want to condemn us but to restore us—with the goal of genuine fellowship, eternal hope, and a royal calling. “Whoever overcomes…”—that applies to you as well.

 

 

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | Steps to Christ
Chapter 10—A Knowledge of God
Read online here

 

Commentary

Introduction

Chapter 10 is a profound call to recognize God’s nature, actions, and love in creation, in His Word, and in our own lives. Creation, the Word of God, and the influence of the Holy Spirit are three central ways in which God connects with us. This reflection invites us to contemplate God’s glory and to know Him more deeply.

Commentary

1.God Reveals Himself in Nature
Nature constantly speaks of its Creator. Whoever has an open heart and a listening ear can hear the voice of God in creation. Jesus’ parables drawn from nature show how closely heaven and earth are connected. Nature is not only meant to be admired but also to be a teacher and a mediator between God and humanity.

2.God’s Care Is All-Encompassing
From the universe to the sparrow, from the palace to the simplest meal – God’s gaze rests on everyone. This all-embracing love is meant to free us from fear and lead us into deep peace.

3.The Glory to Come
The beauty we now see is only a faint reflection of what God has prepared for those who love Him. The hope of a world without sin and death brings comfort and perspective.

4.The Bible as a Source of Knowledge
God speaks to us through His Word. In it, Christ is revealed. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand these truths. Scripture is clear, accessible, and intended for everyone. But it is not surface reading, rather deep study that brings true understanding.

5.The Effect of the Word on Our Lives
Just as natural food strengthens the body, the Word of God strengthens our spiritual life. Meditation, prayer, and the Holy Spirit work together to transform our character and make us more like Christ.

Summary

God reveals Himself in many ways – through nature, through His Word, and through the Holy Spirit. Those who are willing to listen will recognize His voice. The Bible is the clearest expression of His will. Only through deep study, prayer, and humility can we truly grasp God’s nature. His love is evident in His care for both the smallest and the greatest. Reflecting on these truths leads to the transformation of our hearts.

Message for Us Today

• Be attentive to God’s voice in nature and in everyday life.

• Take time for God’s Word and study it with dedication.

• Ask the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance.

• Let God’s care comfort and guide you.

• Live with your eyes fixed on the glory to come.

God’s knowledge is not secret wisdom but an invitation to relationship.
Whoever seeks will find. Whoever listens will understand. And whoever believes will be transformed.

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/28-03-2025-revelation-chapter-3-believe-his-prophets/