As Lutherans we have an emphasis on education. And part of our ministry is Confirmation. This is a time of learning to teach about the basics of Christianity. Normally this is a planned time with a focus on the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the Catechism. At my previous church I worked in a Christian school. I had the joy of teaching the Catechism to the 8^th graders.

Now the catechism typically covers: the Apostle Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Communion, Baptism and the 10 commandments. You know topics that teenagers love to dive into deeply.

What is the purpose of the commandments? Now teenagers see the commandments as a way to take away their fun. But really if you think about it the commandments, God’s law, was put in place in to bring order out of chaos. If everyone one in the world followed the commandments would the world be a better place? 

We believe that the commandments are two sided. Thou shall not steal. Okay but if you watch someone steal your neighbor’s property you are in effect breaking the commandment. But the commandments are not about following things to the letter. Rather they are about our hearts. They are about Love. If we treat our neighbors with Love, we are fulfilling the intent of God’s law.  

God gave us the laws to help us live together. What the law cannot accomplish, love can. Love is a change or transformation of the heart—the core. When one is empowered to love God and neighbor, the spirit of the commandment is fulfilled.

Growing up I remember being taught a song. “They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes they will know we are Christians by our love. We fulfill the commandments when we show people the same love that Jesus has for them.

“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; ¹⁰love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.”

Loving God and neighbor is the practice by which Christian communities undergo testing, whether they have remained as communities defined by the law/commandments or have become new communities in Christ. When they abide in love, they have fulfilled the law (v. 8). What does love as fulfilling the law/ commandment mean? How does love fulfill the law/commandment? This statement does not dismiss the importance of the law/commandment.

We need to remember that we should not be driven by harsh law but rather we need to be driven by Love.  As my 8^th graders and I discussed the commandments are a matter of our heart. Where your heart is your actions will follow. If you treat others with Love you are living within the law. Jesus tells us that the law is summed up in: Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor.

Only when we put on the love of Christ are we able to become children of God. I encourage you to share the Love of Christ with all you meet.