Have you ever found yourself thinking or saying, “I don’t owe anybody anything “? I have. The Bible says you and I owe something. We owe humanity the gift of love.
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
Romans 13:8 (NLT)
What does Romans 13:8 mean to me?
It means God wants me to live a financial debt-free life.
It means love is what I owe my family. That’s what I owe the little one and his father.
It means I am obligated to love those who have hurt, betrayed and made it their life’s mission to cause me pain.
It means I am obligated to love those who persecute Christians, atheists, racists, and hate groups disguising as advocates of freedom.
It means we are obligated to have compassion on those who have chosen the path of destruction.
It means love the sinner, hate the sin.
The good news is that God does not require us to do what the Holy Spirit cannot empower us to do.
To love is to see people the way God sees them.
To love is to pray for everyone.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 4-8 (NIV)
This is my prayer: That Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)
What does Romans 13:8 mean to you?