Why Love Does No Harm

We usually think of love as something comforting and cozy; it makes us feel all tingly and warm inside. In other words, we think love is all about us. God, however, had an entirely different concept in mind.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Rom 13:8-10 NIV).

Love does no harm. But, why does the Bible say God loved us so much he gave his only son, so we may not perish? Does God have evil thoughts towards us? Not exactly.

Because God is just, he must deal with injustice, and we all know what we have done; no one can claim to be pure and innocent of evil. God's love provides us a way to escape from the inevitable judgment that awaits; i.e., love doesn't harm even those who have sinned.

But there is one more thing that we all like to ignore: if we say we love God, we must obey his commands, and his command is that we love our neighbors the way we love ourselves (1 John 5:21).

If love does no harm, does it mean we should just abstain from harming others? Not exactly.

God doesn't just sit on a cloud playing a golden hard, far away from his creation. God is actively working among us; grace and mercy give us what justice cannot, for justice must be fair. There is nothing fair about God forgiving us our sins, but it is a supremely merciful act of kindness.

That we love our neighbors means that not only do we abstain from harming them; it means that we use every opportunity to show mercy. There is nothing fair about us forgiving the sins of others, and we usually want justice at any and all cost. But if we say we love God, what choice do we have? If we demand justice, we will get justice without mercy from God too (Jas 2:13). What's the point in becoming a Christian if one can't receive the forgiveness that led one to God in the first place?

Love is not a cuddly thing; it is difficult thing. It demands more from us than an occasional card, or a rose. Love does no harm, even when it has the right to demand justice. On the other hand, we have also a duty to ensure that they society we live in is just. We must forgive others when we get hurt, and seek justice for others when they are hurt. When both are found, we will create a society in which mercy triumphs over justice, because justice is always served.