Fulfilling The Law In Love
BRD REFLECTIONS
Romans 13:8-14 and Psalm 145 (NIV)
(Leow Kim Liat, Chairperson, Pastor-Parish Relations Committee (PPRC))
READ:
Romans 13:8-14 (NIV)
OBSERVE:
1. In Romans 13:1-7, Paul talks of the Christian community owing to the civil authorities. In v8, he moves from tax returns to LOVE. The only debt from which there is no release is love for one another. And he who loves his fellowman “has fulfilled the Law.” Why? Because in v9, 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 neighbour as yourself.” And in v10, we read that “love is the fulfilment of the law.” Therefore, if we have the love of God in our hearts for others it would be easy to obey these commandments.
2. v11 – “…our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed”: We must always remember that our time here is temporary and that we are to build our lives on eternal things, the things that last – God’s love and righteousness. In this pandemic, many who almost died suddenly find their priorities are rearranged. So let’s live our lives knowing that salvation is nearer each day and “put on the armour of light” (v12) and “behave decently, as in the daytime” (v13).
3. v14 – “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Hence we must make a choice to live proper spiritual lives by emulating the perfect example of Jesus Christ at all times. In this way, we can move from works of the flesh to the realm of the Holy Spirit.
APPLY:
To love someone you are close to, and someone who cares for you, is so easy. But to love your neighbour who could be a difficult person or even your enemy is a huge struggle, especially when that person has backstabbed you in business dealings or betrayed your trust, etc.
But I am constantly reminded of John 3:16. If God loves me so much that He sent His son to die for my sins, then why can’t I at least learn to love my enemy? Praying for God to release me from hurt, pride and unforgiveness has helped me greatly, for my thoughts then turn to praying for that person’s salvation and over time I learn to forgive and care for him. Not easy but it is a work in progress with the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Of course, there are always many other ways to love your neighbour. For example, if someone is hurting you can always love them by walking alongside them and lending a listening ear. What people need is simply to know they are not alone and there is someone who cares.
Love must be a lifestyle: we must live, move and be moulded by the desire to love. As the day of Jesus’ second coming is nearing, we must walk right with the Lord and be prepared. We must spread the good news of the Gospel, especially to our unsaved loved ones. We must strive to be children of the light out of darkness. We must remember that Salvation is a gift.
DO:
Be more intentional in my daily life and be obedient to His Word. I must bear witness to the Lordship of Christ.
PRAY:
Heavenly Father, may You continue to be our shepherd and guide us every step of the way. May You stir our hearts so that we will always remember to have compassionate love for others.
May we continue daily to work out our salvation, like what author Tom Wright said: “Put off the works of darkness, put on the armour of light, put on the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.” Amen.
