Romans 13:8-10
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Matthew 22:38-40
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Devotion
Once again, Paul focuses in on the importance of love in living out the Christian life. In the above text, Paul is saying that as believers, we are to owe no one anything but love. This is the only debt that brings a smile to God’s face! This text is about fulfilling obligations of all kinds. As long as we are breathing, we can never stop loving others. Paul then summarizes several of the Old Testament commandments: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is exactly what Jesus did when asked, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” The love that Paul and Jesus are referring to here is not some sentimental thing. This love refers to a conscious decision to place a high value on someone. This is the kind of love that God directed toward us, even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
Our love for our neighbor is revealed in what we do rather than in what we say. Love manifests itself through actions that clearly communicate how much we value others. What does this look like practically? “Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It (love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8a) This guiding principle of love should undergird all our actions as believers.
Loving others is the fulfillment of the Law. This love is the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). When we love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, He equips us to love others the way He loves them. Someone might argue that what the world needs right now is a great big dose of love! I agree! God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die for the sins of humanity. God loved (valued) us so much that He was willing to pay the price that we could not pay. What the world needs now is not sentimental or romantic love but the kind of love that compels One to die for another. God is love!
Questions to Ponder:
What are some ways you show love to strangers? What are some of the ways you show sincere love to family, friends, and coworkers? Do your actions line up with the attributes and attitudes found in First Corinthians 13? How might you improve your love toward others? Toward God?
Prayer Points
- Praise God for His unfailing love. Thank Him for his mercy that is new every morning. Soak in the reality of His kindness, His goodness, and His commitment to us, those He created in His image.
- Sit in the reality that You are deeply loved by our Father in heaven who is God, the Almighty, Eternal One, Maker of Heaven and Earth.
- Ask the Lord to grant you a greater capacity to receive His love, give out His love, and to respond and react through His love. Let the love of Jesus Christ pour out of you onto those around you.
Suggested Prayer
Holy Father, Righteous Father, I ask today that You would lead me into Your truth. Shepherd my heart today, guard my words and protect me Lord that I may not cherish sin in my heart. Help me to hold no record of wrong to those who have hurt me. Make me a trophy of Your love today LORD. By the power of Your Holy Spirit I ask that You would strengthen my inner man so that You, Christ will dwell in the center of my heart. I pray for myself and all the saints at Oak Pointe Church that we will be able to take hold of the depth, height, width and length of Your love and overflow with Your great love to each other and everyone around us. Let Your love abound in and through each of us in the Name of Jesus Christ I ask, amen.