OUR DAILY BREAD : THE LOVE OF RULES

[cimi]

August 13
Thursday


THE LOVE
OF RULES

READ:
Romans 13:1-10
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Love is the fulfillment
of the law.
__Romans 13:10
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When I teach writing, I explain that it's generally better to use short words or phrases first in a series, as in "arts and letters" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Early in my career, I explained to authors that it just sounds better this way, but then I discovered a "rule" about this. And I learned that authors are more likely to accept editorial changes when I can point them to a rule than when I just say, "Trust me."

This is typical of human nature. We have a love/hate relationship with rules. We don't like rules, but we're unsure how to determine right from wrong without them.

God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that was based on loving trust. The only rule necessary was one that protected them from knowledge that would end in death. But when disobedience broke the trusting relationship, God added more rules to protect the wayward couple and their offspring.

In Christ, God proclaimed once more that the good life He wants for us is not about rules but a relationship. As Paul wrote, all the commandments can be summarized in one word: Love. Because we are "in Christ," we can enjoy peace with God and others--not because there's a rule, but because there is love. __Julie Ackerman Link
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`````````Though freed from the law with its stern commands__```````
````````````````No longer ruled by its harsh demands__````````````
`````````````I'm bound by Christ's love and am only free````````````
`````````````To live and to act responsibly. __D. De Haan```````````
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The greatest force on earth is not
the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.

************Today's Bible Reading __ Romans 13:1-10*************

1 Let every soul be subject
to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority
except from God, and the
authorities that exist are
appointed by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists
the authority resists the
ordinance of God, and those
who resist will bring
judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers are not a terror
to good works, but to evil.
Do you want to be unafraid
of the authority? Do what is
good, and you will have
praise from the same. 4 For
he is God's minister to you
for good. But if you do evil,
be afraid; for he does not
bear the sword in vain; for
he is God's minister, and
avenger to execute wrath on
him who practices evil.

5 Therefore you must be
subject, not only because of
wrath but also for
conscience' sake.

6 For because of this you
also pay taxes, for they are
God's ministers attending
continually to this very
thing. 7 Render therefore to
all their due: taxes to whom
taxes are due, customs to
whom customs, fear to
whom fear, honor to whom
honor.

8 Owe no one anything
except to love one another,
for he who loves another
has fulfilled the law. 9 For
the commandments, "You
shall not commit adultery,"
"You shall not murder,"
"You shall not steal," "You
shall not bear false
witness," "You shall not
covet," and if there is any
other commandment, are all
summed up in this saying,
namely, "You shall love
your neighbor as yourself."

10 Love does no harm to a
neighbor; therefore love is
the fulfillment of the law.