The Law of Love Fulfilled

"Do not think I came to destroy the law and the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill."
Matthew 5:17
      There are lots of Bible verses that I could quote but I'd rather quote a Catholic philosopher, St. Thomas Aquinas. Not my favorite of the Catholic quotes in my repertoire, but it sums up my thoughts on this verse pretty well: Love God and do what thou wilt; this is the whole of the law.
 Christ is the word made flesh, grace and truth revealed. As the word (or the Law) became flesh and fulfilled, only one thing remained: to love the Lord. The requirement to keep the law in order to obtain salvation is abolished because Christ fulfilled the the righteous requirement of the law in His sacrificial death. As believers, we then relinquish all claims to self-reliance. all is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We are not under the law but under grace. Can I therefore, do whatever I want, whenever I want, however I want? In Paul's epic words, Certainly not!
      If the one law that remains is to love God, will by actions not line up with His word? It is not because I am bound again to the law, but as a voluntary act of love towards God. I recognize that the law cannot save me, nor can it keep me, but I also recognize that it is the guideline by which I can live the better life. The commandments of God are not burdensome as the apostle John puts it; rather they are for my good. But perhaps more than that, they afford the opportunity to die to myself and help others. Paul says in Romans 14:14-21
      "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything unclean, to him it is unclean. Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one who whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating or drinking, but righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak."
      My liberty is nullified if it stumbles my brother and sister. If Christ gave up what was His by right for the sake of His creation, how much more should I give up what is only mine by grace for my fellow servant?
      "Do to others as you have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets."
        Matthew 7:12
Application: Today I will look for an opportunity to live my the law of love rather than the law of liberty.