Romans 13:8-14 The Debt that is Never Paid

Two Men

(X 3)

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Dig potatoes, break stones, peddle in tin wares, do anything that is honest and useful, rather than run into debt. As you value comfort, quiet, and independence, keep out of debt. As you value good digestion, a healthy appetite, a placid temper, a smooth pillow, pleasant dreams and happy wakings, keep out of debt. Debt is the hardest of all taskmasters; the most cruel of all oppressors.

It is as a millstone about the neck. It is an incubus on the heart. It spreads a cloud over the whole firmament of man’s being. It eclipses the sun; it blots out the stars; it dims and defaces the beautiful blue sky. Joseph Exell

"A man may be a good doctor without loving his patients; a good lawyer without loving his clients; a good geologist without loving science; but he cannot be a good Christian without love.” D. L. Moody

9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Two Questions to be Answered What is love? Whom should we love?

Four Greek Words Agape Philia Storge Eros

Two Questions to be Answered What is love? Whom do we love?

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

A list of the “one another’s” in the New Testament Romans 12:10, 16; 13:8; 14:13, 19; 15:5, 7, 14; 16:16; 1 Corinthians 6:7; 7:5; 11:33; 12:25; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Galatians 5:13, 15, 26; Ephesians 4:2, 25, 32; 5:19, 21; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:9, 13, 16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9, 18; 5:11, 13, 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 3:13; 10:24, 25; James 4:11; 5:9, 16; 1 Peter 1:22; 4:8, 9, 10; 5:5, 14; 1 John 1:7; 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 1:5

“ You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

A little fun with language (to demonstrate a spiritual point)

venido

bien

bienvenido = welcome

des

ayuno

desayuno = breakfast

nigh

gebur

nighgebur = neighbor

So then, to obey the teachings of Romans 13, the believer must: love unconditionally love everyone whom God has placed in your way

The Importance of the “Love” Commandment It’s the OT verse (Leviticus 19:18) most frequently cited in the NT: Matthew 5:43 Matthew 19:19 Matthew 22:39 Mark 12:31 Mark 12:33 Luke 10:27 Romans 13:9 Galatians 5:14 James 2:8

The Importance of the “Love” Commandment It’s the OT verse most frequently cited in the NT. It’s the only way to be obedient to God’s laws.

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Two Remaining Issues How do I love? When do I love?

How do I love? 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

How do I love? I need to love others as I love myself

14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

How do I love? I need to love others as I love myself I need to love by submitting my will to Christ

let us put on Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light… (verse 12) Let us walk properly Let us walk properly, as in the day… (verse 13) put on the Lord Jesus Christ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ … (verse 14)

How do I love? I need to love others as I love myself I need to love by submitting my will to Christ I need to love by walking hand and hand with Christ

Two Remaining Issues How do I love? When do I love?

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

ob portu = opportunity

Only one life Twill soon pass Only what's done for Christ will last

And the greatest of these is Love