Romans 13:10

“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:10).

Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that if they love their neighbor, then they will fulfill the law. This is a blatant denial of the most sacred of all doctrines, the IAOCNHWI (imputation of the active obedience of Christ – no hope without it).

The Reformed faith has always insisted that we cannot fulfill the law in any way, shape, or form. All we can do is rest in finished work of Christ and receive the blessed IAOCNHWI. There is none righteous (Romans 3:10); that is why we need the IAOCNHWI. All our righteousness is like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), and so, we are dependent upon the IAOCNHWI.

If you try to love your neighbor, you are putting yourself back under the law. You are better off not even trying to love your neighbor, but rather resting in the IAOCNHWI. Thank God for IAOCNHWI! No hope without it!

Romans 13:8

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

Federal Visionists love verses like this because they think that it is possible for sinners to fulfill the law. However, this is thinly-disguised Pelagianism.

The Reformed faith has always insisted that the law requires absolute perfection. Since we have all sinned, it is impossible for any mere man to fulfill the law.

Furthermore, no one loves his neighbor perfectly, and so, no one “fulfills” the law. Only Jesus loves perfectly, and thus, only Jesus can fulfill the law. Paul must be referring to the fact that we receive Jesus’ law keeping in the imputation the active obedience of Christ. Thus, we should be moved to love out of gratitude, knowing that love does not fulfill the law.