The Debt Of Love
Owe no one anything except to love one another.
Romans 13:8
Christians owe love to everyone in society. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Our love to one another applies first of all to fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
But one another also applies to unbelievers—all unbelievers, not just those who are likeable and friendly. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Mat 5:44). The apostle Paul said, “Let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10).
Love should be a distinctive trait in your life. You owe the debt to everyone, so make sure you show love to everyone so you will be known as someone who loves “one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet 1:22).
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 286). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mat 22:39). This was Jesus' second commandment to us. We have no shortage of love for ourselves, but we rarely love our neighbors nearly enough. We owe much love to everybody, not just fellow believers, but everyone around us. We must love our family and friends, but we must also love our enemies, those who hate you and curse you. As disciples of Christ, we must seek to fulfill God's law and "he who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Rom 13:8). "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom 13:10).
Applications: Love must become an integral part of your life. You should always to seeking to fulfill God's law, and the way to do that, is by loving our neighbors. Although at times it may be difficult to love those who do not return your love, we still owe the debt of love to everyone. You must "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Mat 5:44). Then you will be fulfilling God's law and living as a true follower of Christ.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to love everyone. Pray for the love of God to fill me, so that I would faithfully and willingly love my enemies as myself. Pray that I would seek out opportunities to good to everyone, especially fellow believers.
Listen to this entry
Romans 13:8
Christians owe love to everyone in society. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Our love to one another applies first of all to fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ.
But one another also applies to unbelievers—all unbelievers, not just those who are likeable and friendly. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you” (Mat 5:44). The apostle Paul said, “Let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal 6:10).
Love should be a distinctive trait in your life. You owe the debt to everyone, so make sure you show love to everyone so you will be known as someone who loves “one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet 1:22).
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 286). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mat 22:39). This was Jesus' second commandment to us. We have no shortage of love for ourselves, but we rarely love our neighbors nearly enough. We owe much love to everybody, not just fellow believers, but everyone around us. We must love our family and friends, but we must also love our enemies, those who hate you and curse you. As disciples of Christ, we must seek to fulfill God's law and "he who loves another has fulfilled the law" (Rom 13:8). "Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Rom 13:10).
Applications: Love must become an integral part of your life. You should always to seeking to fulfill God's law, and the way to do that, is by loving our neighbors. Although at times it may be difficult to love those who do not return your love, we still owe the debt of love to everyone. You must "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Mat 5:44). Then you will be fulfilling God's law and living as a true follower of Christ.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for a heart to love everyone. Pray for the love of God to fill me, so that I would faithfully and willingly love my enemies as myself. Pray that I would seek out opportunities to good to everyone, especially fellow believers.
Listen to this entry
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