The Law in One Verse . . .

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14

Before I went to look up a verse for the WOTD, I was sitting in my room doing some practice problems for the MPRE in preparation of Saturday.  I’m thinking that a couple days of study (much unlike the BAR) will suffice in order to receive a passing mark on the exam.  I’m counting on this time but also the notion that the answers to ethics questions should be fairly obvious and represent common sense.  Much like this verse.

“The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 
Galatians 5:14

How simple is that? We are given a command by God that sums up the spirit of God’s law, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  It’s so straightforward.  I learned this “golden rule” when I was 5.  Yet, if it’s so obvious (at least IMO) why is it being mentioned?  And why is it mentioned consistently throughout the Bible?  I think it’s mentioned because instinctively, we take and maintain a selfish perspective of our lives.  Also, note that the verse says “love” and not “don’t hate.”  Love is an affirmative action, whereas “don’t hate” puts us in a passive role with our neighbors.  We are called to actively pursue opportunities to love one another.

- Michael