The Law Fulfilled Through Love

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 13:8-14

 

Romans 13:8

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

(ESV)

 

We live in a world dominated by hatred and division. The 50-50 split of the United States Senate between Democrats and Republicans illustrates the political divisiveness of the nation. Racial hatred and divisiveness in the nation threaten law enforcement as officers must consider the race of criminals before confronting them out of concern any confrontation could lead to violent protests. Protesters vandalize medical facilities encouraging women not to have an abortion by giving them a choice of adoption. Businesses in the wedding industry experience legal action for failure to do business with those having same-sex weddings. Children wanting an abortion or sex change operation no longer need parental consent for these medical procedures.

 

Survival in such an evil world comes only through a personal relationship with God through Christ and living in obedience to God’s word. The problem for humanity is all have sinned which separates us from a relationship with God with people living under the death penalty for that sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). For this reason, God sent His only Son to the world, not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:16-17). God fulfilled the law through love, sending His Son, and expects his Church to fulfill the law through genuine committed love and devotion to God and love for one another (Matthew 22:36-40).

 

Building from a foundation of submission to authorities (Romans 13:1-7), Paul urges believers to owe no one anything other than love because loving one another fulfills the law (Romans 13:8). This is because one truly loving his or her neighbor as themselves (Leviticus 19:18) will not commit adultery, murder, steal, covet or violate any of the last six commandments (Exodus 20:12-17). One truly loving his or her neighbor will do them no wrong (Romans 13:9-10).

 

In addition, the hour has come to wake from sleep for salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed (Romans 13:11). The passage then urges believers to cast off works of darkness and to put on the armor of light because the night is far gone and the day is at hand (Romans 13:12). Believers are to walk properly as if in the daytime avoiding Orgies, drunkenness, sexual immorality, sensuality, quarreling, and jealously (Romans 13:13). Instead, believers in Christ are to put on the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-17; Romans 12:2; 13:14).

 

The only debt followers of Christ are to have with one another is the debt of love because this fulfills the law (Romans 13:8). When asked by the Pharisees which commandment was the greatest, Jesus said the first commandment to love God with all your heart (Exodus 20:1-3), and to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The first four commandments are obeyed by one having genuine devotion to God and genuine love for God making Him Lord of their lives having no idols, not taking the Lord’s name in vain and honoring the Sabbath (Exodus 20:1-11). The remaining six commandments are obeyed when one has a genuine love for others (Exodus 20:12-17).

 

However, the love Jesus refers to is love with commitment. Love for God is not just saying I love God but requires making God supreme in one’s life. Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves is difficult in a society dominated by hatred and made even more difficult when Jesus commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48). Jesus had a genuine relationship with His Heavenly Father who willingly obeyed His Father to the point of enduring the excruciating pain of the cross. Jesus also had a genuine love for others, even those that hung Him on the cross, praying for their forgiveness (Luke 23:34). The challenge for every believer in Christ is to follow the example of Christ and attain the same level of love for the Father and others.

Entering a relationship with God through Christ is only possible when one confesses their belief in the death burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 10:9-10). If you have not done so, I invite you to have a personal relationship with Christ by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.