Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 2Sýnishorn

Today we are reading Romans chapter 13, and the verse of the day is verses 8-9:

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For 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 neighbour as yourself.”

When reading this verse, you should ask yourself how important it is to love others when Paul clearly says that you fulfil the law when you love one another. We know that Jesus didn’t come to replace the law, but he raised the bar. Only this time it is made possible by us receiving the Holy Spirit.

When we accept Christ into our life, we also accept the gift of loving people. To love one another is a part of who we are and is inherent in how God created us. That is why Paul quotes the commandments and then states that all of these are summed up by love. What Paul is saying is that we cannot commit these sins against our neighbours and love them at the same time. When we love our neighbours as ourselves, we are living above the law.

Paul clarifies that we should owe no one anything except to love one another. Who, then, am I indebted to, to show them love?

Is there anyone that I am withholding love from?

Let’s then decide today to love them as Christ loves us.