“Love does no harm to his neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the Law” (Romans 13:10).

Harm (Gr. Kakos): Injurious, evil, bad

By the commandment of the Lord we are to “love your neighbor as yourself” (cf. Leviticus 19:18). This axiom is foundational to a civil society and especially so in the Body of Christ. It was also so commanded by Jesus, illustrated by the story of the Good Samaritan (cf. Luke 10:27ff).

Think of the wonderful world in which we would live if everyone lived by this simple phrase, “do no harm”. There would be no murder, no adultery, no insults, no abuse of children or spouse, no battery, no arson, no theft, no evil deeds of any kind. It is a world in which love would reign, and love does no harm.

But alas, such a world must wait until the coming of the new age of angels, and the glory that is coming when Christ returns and all will be changed. No, Christ well knew what a world it is in which we now live and so commanded His disciples: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be, therefore, wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).

Harmless (Gr. Akeraios): Innocent, simple, unmixed

“Harmless as doves” is such a beautiful phrase to contemplate. You become no threat to anyone. You will do no harm to anyone. You will be kind, gentle, loving, caring, blessing those you meet with a smile and friendship. You are innocent of evil doing. You do nothing immoral, perverted, corrupt, tainted or defiled. This is the nature of the Divine. This is the nature of Jesus, our High Priest, of Whom it is written: “For such an High Priest became us, Who is Holy, Harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners and made higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26).

The Apostle knew of the world in which we live, for he suffered much harm at the hands of evil men. Even so, he gave us wise counsel in his Epistle to the Philippians when he wrote: “Be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). This is something we determine by the grace of God and the love of Christ dwelling within. It is a life worthy of saints.

There is also a warning from the Lord to the those who would do harm to the saints of God when He said, “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My Prophets no harm” (I Chronicles 16:22; Psalms 105:15). Woe to those who violate that command; for He has also said “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). Pay back is coming, big time to those who now ruthlessly violate the warning of the Lord and persecute the innocent.

But for now, saints of God, let us be encouraged. Let us walk in love. Let us be wise. Let us be sober. Let us be sincere. Let us do no harm.

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