June 10, 2020
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 1-4
New Testament Reading: Romans 13

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:8-10

It is interesting that Paul wrote about loving one another in his letter just after teaching the Romans about our responsibility to governing authorities.  There is nothing in America today that divides people as much as politics.  Even among Christians convictions are strong, and emotions run deep.  If you follow some Christians on Social Media, you would believe that all you need to do is join their particular political party to gain salvation and go to heaven!

Paul said, Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God. v1  We are to show respect and give honor to those in office (even if we disagree with them), and we are to fulfill our obligations to pay taxes.

In America today we also have the right to vote.  This is not just a right but as citizens it is an obligation.  In order to vote intelligently we need to know the issues and which candidates support our personal convictions.  We all have our own personal views of political, economic, racial, and generational issues, and some of them we hold very deeply.  There is nothing wrong with having convictions on these issues, but in holding these convictions and discussing them with others, Christians are commanded to do so in love.  It is easy to love those who agree with us, but as Believers we need to be especially concerned with showing love to those who may not agree with our positions.

The Apostle Paul said, Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another v8  This is not a prohibition against the proper use of credit; it is emphasizing a Christian’s obligation to express divine love in all relationships.  A Believer should never fall short and be in debt in loving others.  We need to be loving in the words we use whether spoken, written, or shared, as well as in the actions we take.  The early Christian theologian Origen of Alexandria said, “The debt of love is permanent, and we never get out of it, for we pay it daily and yet we always owe it.”

To love one another is a basic principle of the Christian faith.  It is the New Commandment that Christ gave to us. “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35  As Believers, we do not live under the Law of Moses, we live under grace.  Our motive for obeying God and helping others is the love of Christ in our hearts. When we practice love, there is no need for any other laws, because love covers it all!