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That is a stretch, Douglas. Threats and fear are all mixed in with that highly conditional love of OT's God. Compassion and mercy is tagged to obedience and not belief. It all goes back to the way the Hebrews experienced and (mis)interpreted God's revelations.

You're misunderstanding my point on a very basic level.

If you love someone unconditionally then you are never going to violate the letter of the law of the ten commandments.

If you love your spouse unconditionally then you will never think about committing adultery, much less actually committing adultery.

If you love God then you are never going to think about worshiping something else before him in spirit much less deed.

Without the commandments you would never be able to define Godly love. It would be subjective and subject to change, to human definitions. Those who toss aside the commandments as not relevant are doing this which has contributed to a coarseness in our society.

Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Iniquity IS lawlessness. Sin is transgression of the law. The type of lawlessness Christ is talking about isn't man made law, but the God's law.

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

The misunderstanding is basic, Douglas. It's not legalism. We are not Pharisees. Our "righteousness" is not in the law but in grace. Through the law, we become aware of the sin. But the law is neither the opposite of sin, nor a cure for sin.

We are not forgiven because we are "good" but because we repent. That's why "penance" became such a distorted issue in Luther's time, and why Purgatory is something no one ever mentioned before it was invented as a heavenly "jail" where you do "time" being roasted to God's "satisfaction".

God's laws are inscribed in our hearts; not in stone. Our relationship with God is personal and spiritual, not legal. Once you fall in love with God, it is irresistible. That is a much stronger bond than any law can establish.

Love means acceptance (unconditional in this case), not legal obedience. If you love someone you are not legally bound to that person, but spiritually.

That law established obedience to God, not love for God. We are not saved because we obey but be cause we believe. That is the fundamental difference.