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Thursday, February 13, 2020

Not To Do List



Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
—Romans 13:8-10 (NIV)


We only owe one thing, and that is to love as Jesus has loved us. Jesus wiped away the overwhelming debt of our sin on the Cross. The gift of His life paid the debt we could never pay. He gave the only thing He could give to fulfill the law of Moses—His life’s blood. The grace of Jesus—His unconditional love—is the perfect fulfillment of the law.

The commandments of the law are summoned up in the one final instruction that Jesus gave His disciples the night before His crucifixion—to love with His love. The list of "to-dos" to have right-standing with God were fulfilled in one second as Jesus drew His last breath. We are free to love others as ourselves. We are free to not murder—to not steal. We are free not to sin. Sin is no longer our master because we are not under the law. We live under the protection of the love of Jesus. Yes, His grace changed everything.

Don't become consumed with the "to-dos." Be consumed with the love of Jesus. Love others with His love that changed everything for you. When you allow His grace to love through you—you love without judgment—you forgive without compensation—you cherish without explanation. When your love is not based on the actions or the "to-dos" of someone else, you experience freedom from your own need to do something to have God's approval. You know you are forgiven. The only one "to-do," which had to be accomplished, is finished. There is nothing more for Jesus or you to do. 

When you keep your mind on Jesus—on the fact that He loved you not for who you were but because of who He was—you experience His unconditional love. You breathe in His righteousness without shame.  The "to-dos” fade away in comparison to His undeserved grace. You are free to love as you are loved.

© 2020 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2020/02/not-to-do-list.html

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