“Love Fulfills the Law” Adult Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson

For Sunday August 28, 2016

Purpose: To discern what it means to fulfill God’s Law through love

Bible Lesson: Romans 12:1-2, Romans 13:8-10

Background Scripture: Romans 12:1-2; 13:8-14

Key Verse: Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law. (Romans 13:8)

Romans 12:1-2 (CEB)
(1) So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. (2) Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature

Romans 13:8-10 (CEB)
(8) Don’t be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law. (9) The commandments, Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself. (10) Love doesn’t do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law.

Some Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Today’s lesson begins with one of the most ignored verses in the Bible. Today it is more popular to be part of the world, regardless if we are talking about our lives or our churches lives. Mainline Christianity is racing to be like the world.

It seems the last thing our churches want to preach is “a transformed life” or living a “sacrificial life.” I understand this would be a hard sell in today’s mega churches, or even in mainline Christianity. But it is Paul’s answer to how we should be living.

Living a holy life is no longer fashionable, we prefer to live as much like the world as we can get away with. We somehow think attending a church that preaches a social gospel lets us off the hook. 
Paul implores us to seek the mind of God, see what God wants us to do, Paul determines that to be reasonable. As some have said, “if it was a crime to be a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

I personally think the renewing of our minds start with Sunday School. A well taught Sunday School class will teach us adults more about God’s word than sitting in church.  Years ago more was taught in Sunday School for our youth than what we seem to teach today. Today it is hard to find dedicated teachers, and dedicated parents that bring or send their children to Sunday School. That is a challenge for each of us, showing we are transformed, will end up in us being involved in Sunday School and other aspects of our local church ministry.

Living a holy life is more than “being so holy we are no earthly good.”  It means being intentional in our service and dedicating ourselves to sharing God’s goodness with others.  If we are to show love, there is no better way than sharing the good news of the gospel. It we truly love our neighbor we should want to share, and make certain they are aware of God’s plan for their life. Share that simple faith is the key, believe that Jesus was who He said He was.  That would be the reasonable, loving, good and mature thing to do.

I think Paul’s remarks about debt, could mean have no regrets about your friends and neighbors. Be sure you have given them an opportunity to hear and see the love of Christ carried out in your life. Don’t owe them, as far as sharing with them, the love of God. That is how the law of love is fulfilled.

My hymn for this week is “The Love of God.” is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. Show God’s love to others this week, be transformed and live a holy life.