“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9g

The statement Paul used to transition between instructions on responsible living and directing the first century Christian to love is really quite ingenious. After teaching that Christians should pay their taxes, their loans and even homage to whom such is due, Paul stated:

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

With apostolic authority, Paul cites the decalogue asserting today’s five understandable words fulfill the intent of the law (vv. 9 – 10).  He pressed the point by stating such twice: once in verse eight and once in verse ten.

The first century Jew, like today, lived under the paradigm of Mosaic law. Levitical law became a part of this system, a collection of over six hundred commands which were all deemed God-breathed, and therefore essential for holy living. By asserting that loving one’s neighbor as being the fulfillment of the law, Paul further validated his authority and confidence of the letter’s recipients – as most first century Christians were Jews. Paul’s statement also reflects on the words of Christ, Who spoke similar words on fulfilling the law: “Do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)

Like the first century Christian, we are reminded today to love each other. So often, we lose the clarion call to love each other. The stresses of life often distract the Faith-walker to focus on the urgent and forget what is really important – people. People matter to God. That is why God gave His only Son to die upon a cross, so that people might be reconciled to Him (John 3:16). In fact, it was God’s ultimate display of love to humanity! So, you see, love is pretty high on God’s appraisal of humanity.

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.

We need to stop looking after number one, and start looking out for others.

Have a blessed day…