Romans 13:8; NASB
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law. I don’t know about you, but I hate being in debt. I hate the feeling of thinking I owe somebody something. Even amongst my friends, this principle exists. If we go out to eat, one might say, “I’ve got this” and pay for the bill. But the next time we go out, I jump in, “You paid last time, let me get it this time.” And back and forth and back and forth and on it goes. It’s not that anyone is keeping track (but we are), but in our minds we are making sure that no one pays more than the other. Not that anyone would hold it over the other’s head, but the thought is there that we want to keep things “Even Stevens.” So it is interesting that Paul writes to the church in Rome, and to us today, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” I like how the NIV writes it, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.” The continuing debt to love one another. The ongoing debt. The never ending debt. The, “I can never love you too much” debt. Whew….that’s all a little….wow…..overwhelming, right? I mean, that sounds like a lot. That sounds like a big deal. It sounds like there is no end in sight to loving one another. Good. Then you and I are starting to get it. The call to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, is a call to love our neighbors unending. What if our neighbors don’t deserve it? What if they are mean or rude to your family? What if they don’t believe the same things you do? What if they are annoying and play loud music late at night or shoot fireworks off that make your dogs scared and bark? (Asking for a friend) Well, the good thing is God never asks us to do anything He is unwilling to do Himself. “We love,” the Bible says, “because God first loved us.” That love is ultimately seen in the life and death of God’s own Son Jesus. It’s there that God “proves” His love. He demonstrates His love. And His love for us never stops. It never has stopped. It won’t stop. It is, for lack of a better word, unending. The thing is, God doesn’t have to love us. He wants to love us. It’s not an obligation, it’s an opportunity for Him. And likewise, it is not an obligation to “owe” others love. What a great opportunity we have to not only receive God’s love, but to share it with others around you. Maybe it’s a prayer. Maybe it’s sharing a meal or having a cup of coffee together. Maybe it’s being there for them in a difficult time, or celebrating with them. Maybe it is helping them out financially. It’s listening to the way God calls you to love your neighbor as yourself. We’ll never run out of those opportunities. They will always be there. Which is a good thing because we are called to never owe anyone anything except to love them. So go out in that great big world and be love. Don’t talk about love…be love. Demonstrate your love the same way God demonstrated His love to us. Never stop loving. Whether it is your neighbor, family member, co-worker, or friend…keep on loving. Maybe, like my friends and I with meals, you make sure no one shares more love than the other. Because after all, you owe it to them. -Pastor Brian
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