Romans 13:8-10

                                                             Romans 13:8-10

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.

 

The responsibilities of the Christian life are very easy to understand but are very hard to fulfill.  It is easy for us to understand that we are to love one another, but it is a difficult standard to keep.  If we could just apply this one principle to our lives in every sphere of our influence, the church would be radically transformed and would very likely be overrun with people.

 

NEVER OWE MONEY: One of the worst habits we have is to spend more money than we earn.  This culture makes it easier and easier for us to purchase things on credit, it is part of what makes the economy work.  Unfortunately, many people get so far into debt that they cannot get out or they end up having to work so much just to get their debts paid that they have little to no ability to invest in the kingdom.  This is not how God would have us to live.  Believers are to use their resources for serving others and advancing the kingdom.  Financial contentment is vital to being able to love God and love others effectively.

 

ALWAYS OWE LOVE: The only debt that we will always owe is a debt of love.  We have been loved unconditionally by God and His commandment to us is that we love one another as He has loved us.  There are laws in Scripture that focus on loving God and others that focus on loving others.  However, we cannot keep the commands to love God without loving others.  No matter how we might be persecuted because of our faith, the call of God on our lives is to love others.  In Christ we have a debt of love we will never be able to pay.

 

APPLICATION: Be content with that which God has provided us.  Don’t spend money that we don’t have.  Always spend less than you earn, save money for the future, and give money to advance God’s kingdom.  Love all men as God has loved us.  Be willing to sacrifice of ourselves for the good of others in light of eternity.

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