SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON SUMMARY
Lesson Thirteen : LOVE IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW
Introduction: As we crown up this quarter’s lesson study, we continue to see that the Ten Commandments are an expression of a relationship between God and man, and between man and fellow man and it flourishes once obeyed. Therefore, by loving God with all one’s heart, soul and mind, and loving one’s neighbour as oneself, the law is fulfilled.
Memory Text: Romans 13:8(NKJV)
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
SABBATH; Throughout Scripture, God is love. He is the Law giver as well. Therefore, His law is the law of love and law and love move hand in hand. In the same way, compassion should not be excluded in the way we deal with individials, including the erring and the problematic ones. Furthermore, God’s law is the written form of His character.
SUNDAY; The Ten Commandments were in place in the garden of Eden and they were written on stone after the Israelites had been delivered from Egypt based on the covenant relationship that God had with His people, whom He had promised. The law of God is grounded on love because the first four guide one on how to love God and the last six guide one on how to love one another, stamping more on the fact that God’s law and love are inseparable.
(READ Exodus 20:1-17; 6:7&8; Leviticus 26:12; Matthew 22:37, 40; Deuteronomy 6:5)
MONDAY; Jesus upheld the principle of the law by dying on the cross and by doing so, He extended grace unto us which shows how loving God is, which proves Jesus to be the just and justifier of those who believe in Him. In addition, grace and redemption do not cancel the law, rather, it makes those who believe in Jesus Christ by faith to count themselves as dead to sin and alive in Him. The law of God shows each of us our great need of a Saviour and recognition of the fact that redemption is found only through Christ. In addition, the law represents God’s holiness, as well as His character of love, righteousness, goodness and truth.
(READ Romans 6:1-3; 7:7-12; 3:31; Matthew 5:18; Leviticus 19:2; Psalms 19:7&8; 119:142, 172)
TUESDAY; Unlike the gods that didn’t make clear what pleased them, the Israelites had their God who was clear about what pleases Him, which is obedience to His Law. We’re unable to keep the law on our own accord, hence God promises to write the law on our hearts, in order for us to be transformed through Jesus Christ that we might be able to keep the law by His Grace. Therefore, we keep the law not to be saved, but rather because we’re already saved through Jesus Christ for it a gift that we receive from God. Furthermore, we keep the law because we are already loved by God, so we do so in response to His love and so we desire to love others as well.
(READ Jeremiah 31:31-34; John 3:1-21; Hebrews 8:10; Exodus 31:18; Psalms 37:30&31; Ephesians 2:8; John 14:15; Romans 7:7)
WEDNESDAY; The Apostle Paul points out how loving one another as one self is the fulfilment of the law. The weightier matters of the law identify as justice, mercy and faith. The Sabbath Commandment, not only serves as a memorial of creation, but it also serves as a memorial of deliverance from the slavery and bondage in Egypt, hence identifying as a command with special relation to justice and deliverance. Furthermore, taking delight in the Lord’s day(the Sabbath) calls for one not to venture in self gratification, but rather to take the Sabbath as a day of showing love to others by doing good, feeding the hungry and housing the homeless-all these being works of mercy and justice.
(READ Matthew 23:23&24; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Isaiah 58: 3-10, 13&14
THURSDAY; Keeping the law of God stretches far beyond not doing wrong things only, but also puts into account carrying out acts that show our love to others, not only church members but to the world as well. When we love the world the same way Jesus Christ loved it, His mission is accomplished and our characters are made fit for heaven. Loving one another is a sign of being Jesus’ disciple, therefore making love so great a theme in Christianity.
(READ James 2:1-9; John 13;34&35; 1 John 3:11; 4:8,16, 20&21; 1 Peter 4:8; Hebrews 10:24; 1 Thessalonians 3:12)
FRIDAY; Those who minister to others are promised that the Great Shepherd will minister to them as well. They uphold a great interest in saving the perishing souls. When we realise that we are workers together with God, His promises will not be spoken with indifference. They will burn in our hearts and kindle upon our lips. As was given to Moses, the promise of the Lord continually going before His servants in ministry is extended to each one who labours in Christ’s stead for His afflicted and suffering ones.
(READ “The Least of These My Brethren” pp 637-641 in The Desire of Ages by Ellen G White)
CAPTIONS:
SUNDAY; The law of love
MONDAY; The law is holy and righteous and good
TUESDAY; Law and grace
WEDNESDAY; Love is the fulfilment of the law
THURSDAY; Above all, love one another
FRIDAY; Further thought
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- How does your relationship with God change when you understand that the Ten Commandments are not just a set of rules, but an expression of love and a response to God’s personal and loving relationship?
- How can you show God’s love in practical ways to those you encounter each and every day, including strangers, friends and family?
- Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. How does 1 Corinthians 13 shed light on the kind of people we ought to be?
- What separates the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25:31-46? How can we understand what Jesus says here in a way that does not teach salvation by works?
- What practical steps should be taken in your local church to reflect God’s concern for love and justice in your local community? What are you doing well in your community? What do you need to improve and focus on more? What tangible steps can you take, individually and collectively, to act on what we have studied about God’s love and justice?
