The Law as Love



The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces. ~ Psalm 119:72


We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us to our fellow beings (men). ~ Herman Melville


We don't usually think of laws with such high praise, do we?

As a Lutheran, I've had drilled into me theology around law vs. gospel. Well, it isn't really "versus."  It sometimes feels like it.  That law is harsh and bad and gospel is freeing and good.  That's how it often seems.

But here, the Psalmist clearly sees freedom and goodness in law as well.  There is goodness to be found in the community that law generates.  There is freedom to be found in the care for our neighbor that the law commands.

There is love to be found in the law.

There is value to be found in the law.

It's important to remember God's purpose for the law: to build community; to create a people who loved and served each other even as they served God.

 To remind us that we are connected by bands of love.

The law was created out of love for community and for service.  

It was created to build.  Not to tear down.

Have we used it that way?

What laws exist within the communities you are a part of? Not just faith communities, but all the communities you are a part of? How do they strengthen the communities?

How are they valuable?

God of law and gospel, write your law on my heart that it might be sweet honey on my lips.  Teach me to use your law to build up my community, rather than tear it or anyone down.  Amen.


Thoughts for engagement:

- What are the ways the law calls us to love our neighbor? To strengthen community? How do they do this?
- Have you thought of the law this way? Are there laws you find difficult?  




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