Love Fulfills the Law

It is very interesting how Paul starts out this section by stating that we should not be in debt to anyone. Paul’s inference is that when you incur personal debt it is very hard to maintain a love in your heart especially if you cannot repay your debt. This is where Satan loves to deceive you and me by convincing us that it is the debtors fault for our inability to repay our debt. The underlying message of what Paul is saying is that everyone should be debt free if at all possible. But, if you are to have any debt you should be respectful of the debtors and repay what you owe without regret.

This concept of being debt free is hard to come by especially in today’s debt riddled economy. Your mortgage aside, the only debt we should have is to God the Father and Jesus Christ. There is a significant difference between being in debt to the world and being in debt to God. With God you have peace, in the world you have worry. Jesus paid the ultimate price and released us from our debt so we may have the opportunity to live in heaven for eternity with the Triune God.

Paul substantiates his statement by reminding us that sincere love is a critical component of the new covenant. Paul describes this type of love using the Greek word (agape, ἀγάπη) - to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation and high regard—‘to love, to regard with affection, loving concern, love. This type of love should not be confused with philia (brotherly love) nor does it suggest any romantic or sexual love. He suggests that if we as Christians display this type of love we will have certainly fulfilled the law. The emphasis of unconditional love being the center of our relationships is core to Paul's message in this section.

To further advance his argument, Paul cites a portion of the Ten Commandments implying that ‘if you love your neighbor:’ you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet. These along with the other five commandments are a critical component in living a strong Christian life. Jesus tells us in (Luke 6:31) 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. We often forget what Jesus teaches us, but it is true, if you want to be treated with respect, you need to treat others with respect.

It is important to understand that what we have is given to us by God to be used to glorify God. We unfortunately do not always treat the gifts we receive from God as true gifts. At times we take on an entitled attitude and become selfish with our possessions.

It is true that we need to take care of the things that God gives us and that we should recognize how blessed we are to have such things. This does not mean that you flaunt those things or use them as bargaining chips to take advantage of someone. It means that God’s word is true and when you love God with all your heart and dedicate your life to following Him, then your cup will over flow with His blessings. Remember blessings don’t always present themselves in a monetary or physical way. They are the biblical teachings that God bestows upon us to be used to develop new and to grow our existing relationships in such a way that is pleasing in the sight of the Lord. The most precious gift that God gives us is the ability to love one another and love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. If we show that simple and in some case not so simple act of love to each other, then we are truly living the life that God has put before us.

My prayer is that we all find the true love that God has and is ready to pour into us. I pray that we can look beyond what this world considers love and take it upon ourselves to truly find the love of God. I pray that we will take the time to respect one another and show a respectful love to each other. I pray that the love of God pour in us and through so we may represent who He is and why we choose to live for Him. In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray this Amen! Amen!