Fulfilling the Law Through Love
Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8–14 (ESV)
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
9 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.”
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Paul sums up the law in one command: love your neighbor as yourself. Love is the debt that is never fully paid, the ongoing responsibility of every believer. It does no harm and actively seeks the good of others.
This call to love is urgent because time is short. Our salvation is closer now than when we first believed, so we must live with readiness. Casting off the deeds of darkness, we clothe ourselves with Christ, guarding against sin and making no room for the desires of the flesh.
The Christian life is a call to live in the light, marked by love, holiness, and anticipation of Christ’s return.
Prayer Points:
Ask God to deepen your love for others in both word and action.
Pray for strength to resist temptation and to walk in holiness.
Thank God for the hope of Christ’s return and the nearness of your salvation.