Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Love Above All

Romans 13:9: "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 is at the heart of our faith. Paul tells us that all commandments we have been given ultimately boil down to one, “Love others as we love ourselves.” It's mind-blowing how these few words embrace all moral and ethical guidelines. This is the heartbeat of Christianity. The beauty of this commandment is both how universal its application can be, but also its timelessness. Whether in the 1st century or the 21st, within the challenges of societal norms, cultures, and individual beliefs, love remains the unchanging standard. This commandment rises above barriers, breaks chains, and builds bridges.

Take a moment to think about the weight of this statement. If we truly loved our neighbors as ourselves, we wouldn't think to harm them, to be dishonest with them, or to desire what they have. Love is a natural restriction to negative behaviors. Every decision we make, and every interaction we have, should be filtered through this lens of love.

Today, challenge yourself to see others through the eyes of love. When faced with a difficult decision or a challenging person, ask yourself, "How can I best love in this situation?" Let's strive to represent the love that Jesus showed us. Let's allow Christ to use us as His vessels to show His love to others. Allow the light of Christ to shine through you. Remember, it's easy to love those you agree with but challenge yourself to love those you may disagree with, Luke 6:32 says, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.”

Now, get out there and show some love, Cornerstone family!

-Tim Zentner