Romans 13:8-14 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Romans 13:8-14. Let’s go!
Romans 13:8a (NIV)
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another,…
On verse 8: Paul is saying two things: (1) we should not stay in debt to others. So if we borrow money, we need to pay it back; and (2) we should always see ourselves as owing a debt to love others. That’s because God showed us the greatest, most incredible love of all, and He asks us in return to live a life of loving others.
Romans 13:8b-10 (NIV)
8…for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
On verses 8-10: Paul says, when you break it all down, loving your neighbour as yourself sums up the entire law of Moses. And not only does love sum up the law, love also fulfills the law. That’s why Jesus, who is perfect love, was the only one who ever fulfilled all the requirements of the law. Love is the fulfillment of the law, and it’s also the reason we have the law in the first place. Love is the beginning and the end of God’s law.
Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.
14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
On verses 11-14: Paul is saying: don’t live as if human history will continue on forever. Instead, realize that the day of Jesus’ return is coming one day and is nearer now than when we first believed in Jesus. In light of that realization, we are to, in the words of Pastor Jon Courson, wake up (i.e. realize that Jesus is coming soon) (v11), dress up (not with deeds of darkness but with the armor of light) (v12), clean up (not continuing to live in sin) (v13), and grow up (clothe ourselves with Jesus and live our lives to serve Him, not sin) (v14).
Notice that God did not require that we clean up before He sent Jesus for us. That’s because God’s love for you is not based on your performance; His love for you is unconditional. But in response to God’s unconditional love, since life is about living for Jesus, we are called, as new creation in Christ, to clean up our act, to get away from our old sinful habits and to live new lives in Christ, full of joy and peace. Cleaning up our lives is not a condition to God loving us but it is our response to God loving us.
Jesus, You are the fulfillment of God’s law. Since You are coming back one day soon, I pray that I would live each day wisely and courageously for You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
