Romans 13 - 1.14.26

Scripture

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.

Observation

Matthew 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 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.”

In Romans, Paul reiterates Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew. But he also reminds us of the debt we owe to God.

Colossians 2:13-14

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are not slaves to sin, but slaves to God.

Romans 6:18

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Application

God gave the Ten Commandments, and as Jesus points out, we wouldn’t have to worry about the last eight if we would put all our focus on loving God and loving others.

God wants to make it simple, but somehow we think we know better. Did you know that instead of just the Ten Commandments, the Jews made over 600 laws in the Old Testament? It is easy to fall into the trap of checking off items on a list instead of surrendering to God and sitting at his feet. It is easy to feel like we are better than others because we are “obeying” the laws instead of loving others and putting them above ourselves.

God says, serve me with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself. Will we become true slaves to the most high God?

Prayer

Lord, may I become a slave to righteousness, a slave to serving you. And out of that, help me to see others with the same love that you have for them. Help me to put others before myself. Thank you for cancelling my debt due to my sin. Help me to fulfill my debt to you, to walk in obedience - not by my own might, not to earn my salvation, not to check things off a list - but simply because of my great love for you.

- Debbie Dunn