The Christian Backbone – Part 1

Romans 13

The Ten Commandments was the backbone of the Jewish people. If the backbone collapsed, then the Jewish people would also collapse. The only hope for the nation was to live by the Law from God. The first four commandments are to have no other gods, have no idols, carry the name of God worthily, and follow the creation model of resting on the seventh day. All of these are summed up in “You shall love the Lord your God…” (Deuteronomy 6:3). The rest of the Ten Commandments can be summed up with “you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). These are two essential passages in the Law. Leviticus 19:18 immediately follows “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people…” This is what Paul is arguing at the end of Romans 12.

Therefore, the backbone of the Jewish people was that they love God and love people. This is the conclusion that the lawyer draws in His discussion with Jesus – a conclusion that Jesus affirms (Luke 10:15-28).

Love is the fulfilment of the Law. This is interesting, because Jesus says that He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfil it (Matthew 5:17). Paul has just spent the first 11 chapters of the book of Romans showing that without Christ it is impossible to fulfill the law. Now, because of Christ, we can fulfill the law by loving people. We do not fulfill the law by doing all the things in the law. Salvation cannot be earned. The sacrifice needed for forgiveness is not in the law but was offered by Christ. What was intended in the Law with respect to conduct is now possible in love. Paul even defines love as that which “does no harm to a neighbor” (Romans 13:8). “Harm” is bad, evil, reprehensible, injurious, or wrong.

If love is the backbone of Christianity, then one is a Christian only if they love. One who does not love others is therefore not a Christian.