July 15, 2023: Owing Others

"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 neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:8–10, ESV)

Paul said there is one thing that all believers owe other people: love. Live to stay free of any debts but the debt of love to others. Why do we owe this debt of love? It is because Christ saw our worth and loved us even when we were unloveable. Therefore we are called to love others with the same love Christ loved us. 
    
The commandments are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Paul goes on to say, "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." Paul sees love as so crucial between people that when it happens, he calls it the fulfillment of everything God taught. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.  
    
This is massive in our Christian faith! Think of what Paul is saying! Do you want to live the Word? Then love your neighbor! Who is your neighbor? Your neighbor is anyone you encounter in your day who needs the love of God!