The Law and Love
(1 Cor. 13:1~13)


When storms come, roadside trees or trees in gardens easily fall. However, trees in mountains do not easily fall, even if wild storms come because their roots are tangled to hold each other up. Like trees in forests, we must live together by holding each other. Just as Jesus loved us, we must love one another.

1. People living under the law

1) The law without love reveals weaknesses in others and condemns and judges others. People like this have their roots easily pulled out and fall when the wind of suffering blows. (Luke 15:25~30)

2) The law without love brings results that kill and destroy. The law itself is good, but it becomes the instrument of condemnation, judgment, and death without love. (Rom. 7:23)

2. Love is to be together, while the law is to be alone

1) Love is to live together. It is a life of embracing and holding each other. (John 13:34)

2) The law without love condemns and distances away from neighbors, making us to live a lonely life. (Eccles. 4:12)

3. Jesus and love

1) The law can never save people. It can make us realize our sins, but cannot save us from sin. (Gal. 3:21~24)

2) Jesus is the Lord of love who saves us. He had paid for all our sins on behalf of us and liberated us from sin and the law of death. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be clothed with Jesus’ absolute righteousness. (Gal. 3:27)

Conclusion
The law without love brings division and destruction and no unity with each other. People under the law live their lives with decreased life forces like withered grass. However, love is not like that. Love is to save people. Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the full. Therefore, we must not judge and condemn one another, but live by loving others under the law of the Holy Spirit of life that is in Jesus Christ.