Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments,
“You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not
steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in
this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:8-10
This morning,
I continued my study of Romans. Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which
covers Romans 12:17-13:14. My focus today is v13:8-10, which my
commentary refers to under the heading "Love Your Neighbor." Perhaps underpinning my post yesterday, which discusses how to submit to earthly authorities, as they placed in our lives by God, today we see the primacy of love above all commands. This is consistent with Jesus' words in Matthew 22:34-40 where the Jewish leaders sought to test/trap Jesus by asking him what the most important commandment is; Jesus responds with how we are to first love God, then to love others as "[o]n these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
My commentary refers to v13:10 where it says that "love is the fulfilling of the law" by describing the law as "train tracks" whereas the Holy Spirit is the engine: "[w]ithout Christ the law is powerless; without the law, love is directionless. Because of Christ, the Holy Spirit has been poured into believers' hearts, enabling us to love; and Spirit-empowered love involves keeping God's commands." We are encouraged to see how loving is a permanent obligation. My commentary points out that both Jesus' and Paul's words (v13:9) on loving others refers back to Leviticus 19:18. We are further encouraged to see how love involves looking for ways to "bless others" - to listen, care, give, etc.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of love for me. It is my proper response to worship You and love others as You love me. I am so grateful that You love and You first loved me as a sinner - thank You Jesus for such grace and mercy. I am not deserving of such grace and mercy. I continue to sin and often fail to love others as You love me. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
