![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love<\/strong><\/span> is<\/em> <\/span>the fulfillment of the law.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Unselfish love is what God wants from us.<\/p>\n \u201cLove<\/span>\u201d is translated from agape<\/em><\/span>, which refers to \u201cgood will\u201d or \u201cbenevolence.\u201d In other words, it refers to acts of goodness toward someone else.<\/p>\n The Greek word translated \u201charm<\/span>\u201d is kakos<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cthat which is inherently injurious, bad, or evil.\u201d<\/p>\n The word \u201cneighbor<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word pl\u0113sion<\/em><\/span>. This word is derived from pelas<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cnear\u201d or \u201cclose.\u201d Hence, pl\u0113sion<\/em> <\/span>refers to someone who is nearby, that is, physically close. However, this word is used generically throughout the New Testament to refer to another member of the human race.<\/p>\n \u201cFulfillment<\/span>\u201d is from the noun pl\u0113r\u014dma<\/em><\/span>, from the verb pl\u0113ro\u014d<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201cto make full, to fill up, or to completely satisfy.\u201d Thus, pl\u0113r\u014dma<\/em> <\/span>refers to something that has been filled full, or as we say, fulfilled (completely satisfied).<\/p>\n One who truly loves his or her neighbor (fellow man or woman) will avoid all those things spoken of in verse nine. That is, they will not commit adultery, murder, steal, declare false testimony about others, and they will not have uncontrolled desires for things. As noted above, the type of love that is referred to here is agape love. This is not an emotional love like eros (sensual love) or philos (brotherly love). This is a love of the will, love in action, not a love of desire. It is expressed by doing what is best for the object of the love in spite of the personal sacrifice that it may involve. This is the type of love that God the Father showed to us when He offered His only begotten son to die a sinner\u2019s death on the cross so that we might be saved from our sins. This is the type of love that Christ showed to the Father by freely giving Himself to pay for our sins. We owed a debt we couldn’t pay. He paid the debt He didn’t owe. He did it because He loves us!<\/p>\n If we demonstrate this type of love to others, if we consider the good of others a higher goal than our own good and we actually live that way, then we are fulfilling the intent of the Law. This is the type of living that fulfills the righteousness of God. Unfortunately, we sinful humans cannot do this all the time. That\u2019s why we needed someone who could, and did, live this way to offer Himself as payment for our sins, the Righteous One for us unrighteous ones.<\/p>\n But that shouldn\u2019t stop us from trying. We should all be constantly striving to be more Christ-like each and every day of our lives. Remember, we have been bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lamb of God, and we belong to the One who bought us. Therefore, we are obliged to do all that we can to serve Him and to please Him. We obey Him and strive to do His will, not to earn our salvation (which we can\u2019t do), or even to earn His favor (which we can\u2019t do), but because we want to show our Lord our gratitude and submission.<\/p>\n If our good will to others is done to establish or improve our position in God\u2019s eyes (to gain His favor), then it is selfish. If, on the other hand, we are good to others out of gratitude for what God has done for us, then we are acting out of love.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n