IF WE TRULY understood the message of Christ’s love found in the Bible letters, then we would be eager to meet the legal requirements set forth in those same letters…

The New Testament is not just a love letter. It is not just a legal brief. It is both! Are love and law mutually exclusive? Are they incompatible? Obviously not! Jesus tied love and lawkeeping together!

I can well remember as a boy, coming home after school to find a note written to me by my father. The note would almost always have some command written down upon it for me to obey and then close with an expression of love from my Dad. When I read the note, I saw two elements present. There was a command for me to obey given by one who had authority over me. Then there was an expression of love for given by one who had fervent affection for me. There was law and there was love! In college I would often receive a love letter from my Mom and Dad with certain requests for me to obey scattered throughout various points. Imagine that – a love letter with requirements as well.

This is precisely what the New Testament is – a love letter with legal requirements combined. “Precept and promise, law and love combining, till night shall vanish in eternal day!” B.J. Clarke, The Bible: Love Letter, Legal Brief, or Both?

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15; cf. v. 21-24

–Mike Benson