Love Fulfils the Law

Christianity is often seen as a faith centred on love, rooted in the belief that God sacrificed His own Son to save all humankind. Christians strive to embody this love, following Christ’s example. In fact, the essence of Christian law—the New Covenant—is love. Jesus Himself taught:

John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

In understanding Jesus’ teachings, Apostle Paul explains in the book of Romans that love is the fulfilment of the law:

Romans 13:8-10 “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law… Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfilment of the law.”

Therefore, Christians are called to live a life of love, as it represents God’s law and the duty of a believer. This article explores the nature of love, why it is essential, and how to express it according to biblical teachings.

What Is Love?

The Bible provides a clear definition of love and the virtues that embody it:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

A loving person is patient and endures hardships without grumbling, giving thanks in all circumstances. They hold on to hope with a joyful heart and are humble, always valuing others. They are selfless, finding more blessings in giving than receiving. With no envy, they wish others well and are forgiving, speaking and behaving in ways that build up others. Love, as a virtue, stands against evil and serves as a guiding compass towards righteousness.

Jesus also taught us to be “the salt and light of the earth” (Matthew 5:13-16), illuminating the world with righteousness and preserving goodness. A Christian’s love should serve as a beacon, just as salt preserves food and a lighthouse guides ships.

Why Do We Love?

Apostle John, who deeply understood God’s love, urges believers to love one another because God has loved us:

1 John 4:11 “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”

Spiritually, the earth is a “city of refuge,” a temporary place where sinners await judgement. Only after the High Priest dies may they return to their heavenly home. God came to earth as this High Priest, sacrificing Himself out of love—even though He was unrecognised and rejected. Therefore, believers should love each other in gratitude for God’s sacrificial love. (Supplementary reading: City of Refuge and the Earth.)

Paul also warns that without love, all accomplishments are meaningless:

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Let us therefore love one another.

How Do We Love?

Two thousand years ago, when Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He responded:

Matthew 22:36-40 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus taught that “love your neighbour” follows directly after “love God.” To love our neighbours, we must first understand how to love God. Jesus explained the way to love Him:

John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.”

Loving God means obeying His teachings. On the night before His death, Jesus established the New Covenant with the Passover wine, which promised forgiveness and salvation:

Luke 22:15-20 “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer… This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”

By observing the New Covenant, we can honour Jesus’ love. Rejecting this covenant would mean rejecting the very love He has shown. Therefore, obeying God’s teachings is a way to reciprocate His love. (Supplementary reading: The Passover and the Blood of Christ.)

After understanding how to love God, we can focus on loving our neighbour. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus illustrated who a true neighbour is:

Luke 10:30-37 “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers… A priest… passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite… But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him… brought him to an inn and took care of him… ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’”

We recognise that those unaware of God’s commands are spiritually in need. Sharing the good news of salvation, we become good neighbours to them. And having received salvation, they will also share this love with others, fulfilling the command to “love your neighbour as yourself.”

Summary

Love is at the heart of God’s teachings, encapsulating virtues such as patience, humility, forgiveness, and selflessness. It fulfils God’s law, bringing believers closer to Him and guiding them to live with righteousness and compassion for others. By loving God through obedience and extending kindness to others, we can embody the essence of the New Covenant, spreading God’s love as Jesus taught: “Love one another, as I have loved you.”