We live in a time when Christians are told they are doing what is not lawful. They are called evil and hateful for the things that would have gotten them deemed good and loving at other times.

A Christian speaking against sin with a heart of love and care that wants salvation for another can be treated as in the wrong.

Even in the church, a Christian calling for righteousness and holiness, can be deemed the Pharisee, when in reality, the ones making the accusation are the ones making up their own rules and trying to force them on others.

Jesus points out that love trumps law. We’ve just gotten confused on what love is.

Now, I know there are Christian groups where there is a lot of legalism and extra-biblical rules about how to live. That’s not what I’m addressing. Love would trump the law in those cases. God doesn’t want all our sacrifices for Him. He wants us to love Him and others.

So, when people are so mixed up on what love is, how do we know when we are following the law of Love or the law of man?

One, look at the motivation. What is compelling you to do it? Is it Jesus’ demonstration of love on the cross for all mankind?

Two, look at the fruit. What will this produce in the other person’s life? Conformity to man or to the image of Christ?

Three, is it something that everyone knows is a good thing? (healing the sick, feeding the hungry, etc.) Or, is it something that just a crowd deems right?

What about the preacher of righteousness that is going against everyone because things have gotten so bad?

If you are being compelled by the love of God and God’s love of man, then you can trust you are moving in love. Pray for love to dispel any hints of selfishness. Ask for a pure heart.

Move in love and faith in the God of love who will keep you in Christ and cause you to walk in His ways.