There was a battle going on in the early Christian church.  Some legalistic Jews believed that believers needed to be a Jew before they could become a Christian.  They demanded that a Gentile be circumcised and accept the Jewish law and then they could receive salvation as a follower of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul debated this belief with the understanding that grace and mercy was the result of faith in Jesus and not a commitment to Jewish law.  But if people are forgiven for all their actions, what is going to encourage them to live a lifestyle pleasing to God? Paul responded with the concept of love for one another.

Loving your neighbor as yourself was originally an Old Testament command found in Leviticus 19:18. Jesus, during His ministry, said that the greatest command is to love God with all our heart, soul and mind. And then He quoted this passage from Leviticus and said that the second greatest command is to love your neighbor as yourself.  Now, Paul states in this passage found in Galatians and also in Romans 13:9-10 that all of the law is summed up in this commandment.  Paul understood that selfishness would lead to chaos within the Christian community.  If people lived to please themselves knowing that they would always be able to receive grace, they would not live a lifestyle that is obedient to God. 

Therefore, followers of Jesus Christ are obligated to their community of believers.  Because Jesus paid a price on the cross for those who express faith in Him as Lord and Savior, they have a responsibility to live according to God’s will.  And they have a responsibility to their fellow believers to live a lifestyle that benefits the community.  Why should we be committed to following all of the commandments of God?  Because that is how we express love for our neighbors.  Sometimes there are destructive behaviors that need to be avoided due to the damage it would cause.  And other times there are good deeds that need to be expressed toward others so that they can experience the love that God has for them.  As Christians, we are called to live a life that sacrifices our self-will for the benefit of our family, neighbors and community.  Because this is the foundation of our faith!

Read Galatians 5:13-15, Romans 13:8-10