When I fell in love with my bride 33 years ago, I could not wait to spend time with her. After taking her to church and dinner, I had to leave her in Oklahoma City to meet with my mom in St. Louis to take care of a car issue. 16 hours and 1000 miles seemed like going to the moon and back. All I could do was think about her and brag about her to my mom. I was not tempted to look at other women nor did I care to do much of anything that did not include her. It was not legalism, it was love. When we have a close relationship with Jesus, we have similar tendencies. Watching the television is not the same. Going to movies does not satisfy. Playing video games, going to the beach, and drinking with the guys; none of it interests me anymore. Why? Because of my love for the Lord. Some would claim I am legalistic, which is fine. But I have learned that love is not legalism and that love, in fact, is the fulfillment of the law according to Romans 13:10. My love for the Lord impacts my thoughts, my words, and my actions.
Love is Not Legalism in My Thoughts
In Ephesians 2:17-19, Paul speaks of the love of Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, “that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, [18] May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; [19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” This type of love that dwells in our heart is rooted and grounded deep within us. It permeates our thoughts and enables us to comprehend the knowledge-evading love of Christ, filling us with God’s fullness. [My goodness, that is rich!] This miraculous love influences our thinking to understand that sin and rebellion is not an option. This love is not legalism; it is a God-devised resolve that transforms our life.
Love is Not Legalism in My Words
I heard it said by more than one street preacher, “you have a potty for a mouth because you have a sewer for a heart.” How true this is. This quip is a modern take on Matt 12:34 where it says, in essence, that what is percolating within your heart and mind is what comes out of your mouth. Is your heart filled with all type of filthiness? At work, school, or the locker room, you may be in an environment that you cannot control, where the vilest of sin is discussed and shared. Like Lot, this can vex your soul. The only solution to this is to walk in the Spirit, shine your light, and look for opportunities to share the gospel. Afterall, they are not ashamed of their sin; be as bold or bolder about your faith. Outside of these types of scenarios, you can control what your mind feeds on. What are you listening to? What movies, TV shows, or videos are you watching? Do they build up your faith or do they feed your flesh? If you have unrighteous words, or even complaining, coming out of your mouth, this is probably why. Seek to think on things that only glorify God (Phil 4:8). This type of discipline demonstrates our love for Him, and this type of love is not legalism.
Love is Not Legalism in My Actions
My actions and reactions demonstrate what my mind feeds on. A lack of self-control is “flesh-fruit” as described at the end of Galatians 5. While every man has a flesh to contend with, every man can learn to tame it. I remember a pastor preaching years ago that whatever dog you feed the most will be the biggest. If you sow to the flesh all the time, your actions and reactions will produce rotten fruit. If you sow to the spirit all the time, your actions and reactions will produce righteous fruit. How do we sow to the Spirit? Fellowship with the Lord, fellowship with the Word, and fellowship with the saints. We need to fill our lives with Him! We need to love what He loves and hate what He hates. Conversely, when we fill our lives with flesh-fulfilling filth, it limits our spiritual progression. When we are truly enamored with Him, sowing to the Spirit is not a chore whatsoever. Because love is not legalism, it is a privilege to put off the deeds of the flesh.
The Conclusion
Jesus commanded us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind, and our neighbor as ourselves. In John he said that if we love him, we are to keep his commandments. Some may say it is legalistic to avoid fleshly entertainment. I would argue that love is not legalism at all. It is simple obedience and love that inspires one to turn his heart away from the flesh. Denying ourselves is nothing more than loving the Lord more than loving our own lives. When this happens, our thoughts align with His thoughts, our words align with His Word, and our actions are congruent with Him. This synchronicity is a biproduct of being in love with Jesus.
Matthew 22:37-40 KJVS[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. [40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
John 14:15. If ye love me keep my commandments
