Our living God Pt 7: The call to love

Romans 13:7-10                    7Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.  8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.  9The 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.”  10Love does no harm to a neighbor.  Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

The continuing debt to love

Romans chapter 13 is about a person’s obligation to live in society in a Godly way, submitting to duly appointed authority, paying taxes when due, living honorably and respectfully, and especially living without debt.  But then he adds on a seemingly unconnected thought that we should love each other.  But the thoughts are not disconnected.  Vs 8 establishes the idea that love is an ongoing, perpetual obligation for Christians.  Unlike financial debts, which can be repaid in full, the debt of love remains constant and inexhaustible.  Paul is not necessarily prohibiting financial transactions but is emphasizing that love is a duty that can never be fully discharged.

The idea that we should love each other unconditionally and constantly is a common biblical theme.  Love originates with God and is meant to be reflected in human relationships.

19We love because he first loved us.  (1John 4:19)

God’s love is not a one-time act but an enduring principle that should govern a believer’s behavior.  Because God's love is endless, so too must be the believer's love for others.  Moreover, Paul’s emphasis on love as an ongoing obligation reinforces the relational nature of following Yeshua.  Unlike legalistic approaches that focus on adherence to specific rules, the believing life is marked by a continual practice of love.  This idea challenges believers to cultivate a lifestyle in which love is the driving force behind all interactions.  When love is viewed as a debt, it underscores the urgency and necessity of living in a manner that reflects Christ’s love toward others.

The second greatest Commandment

Paul continues his argument in Romans 13:9 by referencing the moral commands found in the Old Testament: "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.'"  In Matthew 22:39 Yeshua identifies "love your neighbor as yourself" as the second greatest commandment, second only to loving God.

35One of [the Pharisees], an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’   38This is the first and greatest commandment.  39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

By summarizing the commandments in this way, Paul demonstrates that love is not merely a feeling but a principle that encompasses all moral duties.  Each of the prohibitions listed—adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—reflects violations of love.  Adultery betrays love and trust in marriage, murder disregards the sanctity of life, theft violates the respect for another’s property, and coveting stems from selfish desires that erode the well-being of others.

This principle aligns with Jesus' teaching in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), which illustrates that love is not limited to legalistic interpretations of morality but extends to practical acts of kindness and compassion.  Loving one’s neighbor means actively seeking their good and treating them with the dignity and respect that all humans deserve.

Furthermore, the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself is a call to empathy.  Just as individuals naturally seek their own well-being, they are called to extend the same concern to others.  This challenges selfish tendencies and encourages believers to cultivate a selfless love that reflects God’s own nature.

Love is the fulfillment of the Law

Romans 13:10 concludes Paul's argument: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law." Here, Paul explicitly states that love is not just an ethical ideal but the very essence of what the Law requires. The purpose of God’s commandments is ultimately fulfilled when believers practice love.  Paul’s statement also highlights the transformative nature of Christian ethics.  Rather than viewing the Law as a burdensome set of rules, believers are called to see it through the lens of love.  When love governs one's actions, there is no need for legalistic constraints because love naturally leads to righteousness.  A person who genuinely loves others will not harm them, lie to them, or take advantage of them.

Moreover, love is the fulfillment of the Law because it encapsulates God's character.  First John 4:8 affirms that "God is love." The Law was given to reflect God’s holiness and justice, and since God’s very nature is love, those who walk in love align themselves with His divine will.  In practical terms, these verses challenge believers to prioritize love over rigid adherence to laws for their own sake.  While rules and guidelines are necessary, they must always be rooted in love.  The danger of legalism is that it focuses on external compliance rather than internal transformation.  Paul redirects attention to the heart of the Law—love—which ensures that moral actions stem from genuine concern for others rather than mere obligation.

What about me?

Romans 13:8-10 presents a profound theological and ethical teaching on love as the central duty of the Christian life.  Paul emphasizes that love is a continuing debt, one that believers can never fully repay.  He reinforces Jesus' teaching that loving one’s neighbor fulfills the commandments and is the essence of righteous living.  Finally, Paul declares that love is the fulfillment of the Law, affirming that when believers walk in love, they naturally align with God’s will and moral expectations.

But all of this is of no effect if we don’t apply these ideas to our own lives.  This passage calls believers to a higher standard of living—one that transcends legalism and is marked by genuine love for others.  It challenges believers to examine their daily interactions and relationships, ensuring that love is the guiding principle behind their actions.  In doing so, they not only obey God's commandments but also reflect His character to the world, fulfilling the Law in the most profound way possible.  Remember, neighbor in context means everybody.  Maybe there is someone in your life who is a particular challenge.  We can’t be the answer to every person’s problems, but neither should we actively cause more problems for that person because they have wronged us in some way.  The command to love doesn’t require you to allow yourself to be hurt, but it does require you to be considerate, caring, and affirming.