Is. 65-66
Isaiah tells of the day when God will remove His blessings from those who refuse to serve Him. They will no longer have good things, because good things come from God. But where they suffer, God’s faithful will flourish. God promises to create new heavens and a new earth where He will dwell with those who serve Him. And God makes this promise: “the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Is 65:17b). How awesome is that?!? All of our sins and iniquities will be gone and thought of no more. We and God will “be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create.” (Is 65:18a).
Rom. 13
“The one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Rom 13:8b). So simple. Indeed, Jesus told us that the entire law basically boils down to loving God with everything that we are and loving our neighbor as ourselves. It’s all about love. The tricky thing is, what does it mean to love?
Paul offers a little more clarity in verse 10, where he says, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor.” Does no wrong – that’s a start. But is something “wrong” just because somebody doesn’t like it, want it, or agree with it? I have to say no to that. I do not believe that love means letting another have and do whatever they please. As strange as the Jewish laws are, I do think this is one way that, even though we are not bound by them, they have relevance to us today. I think they give some clues as to what it means to ‘do no wrong’ to another.
There is no easy answer. But I can say that love is not self-serving. Not that taking care of and enjoying yourself is bad, but if your interests and ambitions become top priority, there is a problem. Our first concern should be pleasing God. If we are truly doing that, then it becomes easier to know what is right in dealing with others.