Great Peace Have Those
Who Love Your Law, Part II

"Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." (1)

Those who live by the principles of the law of God will have "great peace". Why shouldn't they? They do nothing that will hurt their neighbor and they love the Lord supremely.

A lawyer asked Jesus, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (2) These are the two foundation principles of the government of God. His creation is based on the foundation of love. When we have that love in our hearts, there is great harmony, great unity and great peace. The first four commandments are the principles that govern our relationship with God and the last six commandments are the principles that govern our relationship with mankind, our neighbors.

Our relationship with God and doing what is right in relation to the principles He has given us to live by is the basis for unity, harmony and peace. That does not mean that we all see eye to eye with one another or always agree with one another. What it does mean is that we will always respect each others rights and privileges in accord with the principles of God's law. Living according to the principles of His law will keep us from harming one another. We are there to lift up and support one another. We are to learn to love our neighbor as we love our self. We will not take advantage of our neighbor. We are here to benefit and bless our neighbor as Jesus came to benefit and bless us.

At times living like this may appear to leave us at a disadvantage from those who do not respect God or His law. There will be those who tend to over-lord and ridicule those who love God and respect His law. However, they are the losers. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for [doing what is right]. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (3) Truly, all things do "work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (4)

1. Psalm 119:165.
2. Matthew 22:36-40.
3. Matthew 5:10-12.
4. Romans 8:28.