Christians, Followers of Christ, Those who have put your faith in Jesus Christ! Listen to what Paul says in Romans 13:8-10 “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
I have two simple statements. First the “Owe” in this text does not mean that you actually pay anything back. This statement means that you continually are paying back the work of Christ on the cross. The second statement is that the love that we owe is for our neighbor! We get a clear definition of who that is in Luke 10:25-37 which basically says, love every one you meet; strangers, friends, enemies, relatives, the unlovely. Jesus says in Luke 10:28 “”You have answered correctly; Do this and you will live.” Pretty strong advice for us.
One more thing before I end. Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This world does not know how to love. I don’t know about you but this bothers me. So the question might be, what do you pattern your life after? Please consider using God’s Word as your pattern!