If you could sum up the Bible in an over simplified way you might say it was a love story of God’s incredible love for us, His people.  He pursues us, protects us, provides for us and ultimately sacrifices Himself to save us.  In the midst of this love story God also calls us to live lives of love as well.  Not simply love for Him but He also calls us to be a people who love others well.  We are called to love our neighbors, one another, strangers, and even our enemies.  Paul reminds us of Jesus’ great commandment in Romans 13.  Let’s take a look at his words together today. 

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 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.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

This is nearly a direct quote from what Jesus says in response to being questioned by the Pharisees about what law is most important.  Paul, a former Pharisee himself, recalls these words as he calls us all to have a debt of love for one another.  That is an interesting way to look at our call to love.  It is not an option or a rule to follow.  It is a debt, something that we owe one another as our way of following Jesus.   We embrace His love and we owe that love to each other as a debt.  Today and every day make it a point to pay your debts to each other and share Jesus’ incredible love with others.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave