Skip to main content

Law of the Heart

"The one who has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. And the one who loves me will be loved by my Father. I also will love him and will reveal myself to him" (John 14:21).

Most people think this means obeying the ten commandments or Mosaic law. While obeying the law is important there is a greater meaning. The commands are the ones God said he would write on our hearts. “I will put my law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jeremiah 31:31-34). This is the new covenant, in which we are the heirs through Jesus Christ who is the first (Romans 8:23; Colossians 1:13-18). The heirs of Abraham are made righteous through faith, for if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is void and the promise nullified (Romans 4:13-14).

The righteousness of God has been manifested, through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe (Romans 3:21-22). What the law could not do, in bringing righteousness, God did through Jesus Christ, the lamb of God (Romans 8:3). Jesus said not one jot of the law would pass away and those who annul the law and teach others to do so would be least in his kingdom (Matthew 5:17-19). However he said our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, who were followers of the law, he wants the laws to be within our hearts (Matthew 5:21-23). Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it and there is a way to fulfill the law; walk by the Spirit (Romans 8:3-4) and obey two greatest commandments that hang on the law (Matthew 22:38-40). This is the premise of the new covenant through Christ; he would write his laws on our hearts.

The Holy Spirit resides in us, we delight in the law of God in our hearts, and we obey through love. "God said not, "I will come again, as I came on Sinai, and thunder at them." No, but, "I will come in gentleness and mercy, and find a way into their hearts." He said not, "I will take two great tables of stone, and with my finger write out my law before their eyes." No, but, "I will put my finger upon their hearts, and there will I write my law." He said not, "I will give promises and threatening that shall be the safeguard of this new covenant;" but, "I will with my Spirit graciously operate upon their minds and their hearts, and so I will sweetly influence them to serve me,—not for reward, nor from any servile motive, but because they know me, and they love me, and they feel it to be their delight to walk in the way of my commandments"[1].

Jesus says to his disciples, if you love me you will keep my words, and the Holy Spirit will help you to remember these words, the words and works from the father (John 14:23-26; 10). These are the laws God is writing on our hearts, the words of Jesus, who is the word of God. He is the true vine, if we abide in him and his words in us we will know the truth, we will be set free and produce much fruit (John 8:31-33;15:5). These commands of the heart are centered around Love. Jesus said, the first and greatest commandment is to "love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matthew 22:27-40). And there is one like it, to love your neighbor as yourself. And a new one, "This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you" (John 15:12-14).

Through this Love and Unity in the body of Christ we will be a testimony to the world that we are his disciples and he is from God; others will believe our message and know that Jesus is from God (John 13:35;17:21-23).

"This is what I command you: Love one another" (John 15:17).



Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

So That You Have Life

the thief comes but to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that having life and having it more so (John 10:10) The next few verses give us context of the realm of life and death that Jesus speaks of. The wolf comes, no doubt referring to Satan, he attacks the flock to kill, steal, and destroy. But Jesus came that we may have life, he lays his life down for the sheep. The life he gives is eternal, but he said it is living water, like a fountain that gushes up unto eternal life, thus we experience life in this mortal body, unto its fullness. Jesus became flesh and blood like his brethren to save them, this is how God demonstrates his love. "I know my own and they know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:14). Jesus came so that we may have life. but you do not believe because existing not of my flock. My sheep listen to my voice and I know them and they follow, just as I give them eternal life and no not per...
Read more

Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching

Freedom from the Mosaic Law: A Deep Theological Exploration of New Testament Teaching Introduction: The Question of the Mosaic Law and Christian Identity One of the most significant theological debates and practical challenges for the early church was the place of the Mosaic Law in the life of believers in Jesus Christ. This question remains alive today, particularly in communities and churches that quote the Old Testament as if its legal prescriptions still directly obligate Christians. The apostolic writings, especially those of Paul, provide the primary lens through which the New Testament resolves this matter. Paul’s letters—rich in both theological reflection and ecclesiastical urgency—not only confront false teaching but chart the path of new covenant living by the Holy Spirit.  This essay seeks to offer a doctrinal synthesis on why believers are no longer “under the Mosaic Law,” supported by original-language insights, harmonized scripture references, and commentary drawn...
Read more

Maturity In Christ and Into His Image: An Exhaustive Exegetical Report

The "Consummation of the Believer" signifies the ultimate and total achievement of the believer's transformed nature and position within Christ. This theological concept is founded in Christian doctrine, specifically engaging with the philosophical study of being (ontology) and the definitive fulfillment (consummation) of the salvation process.
Read more

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law

Theological Comparison of the New Covenant of Grace and the Old Covenant of the Law: A Detailed Study Rooted in Ephesians 2:11–22 Introduction The theme of covenant is central to the biblical narrative, shaping God’s relationship with humanity from creation through redemption. The new covenant is called by Paul a ministry of reconciliation, righteousness, and of the Spirit. The shift from the old Mosaic covenant—rooted in the Law given to Israel at Sinai—to the new covenant of grace established in Christ, fundamentally redefines how people approach God, community, and salvation. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, particularly 2:11–22, provides a remarkably clear and rich theological exposition of this transition, addressing not only the spiritual implications for Jews and Gentiles but also the very nature of the church as God’s new creation. This report develops an in-depth, paragraph-driven theological comparison between the old and new covenants, structured around nine key themes de...
Read more