2022_08_19 Insight Post- Marcy Fleurima

Romans 13 and 14 have some difficult themes for us to understand in the present, as they are written primarily with cultural and governmental lenses of the day Paul wrote them. It is easy to read through it and skip around thinking there’s nothing in here for us today. However, God’s word is most definitely timeless and very practical for us today. We can glean many lessons from these chapters. Starting off, Paul talks about our duties to the government and authority. This is definitely a hot topic in today’s world, but Paul gives us excellent advice when he tells us to “pay your obligations to everyone: taxes to those you owe taxes, tolls to those you owe tolls, respect to those you owe respect, and honor to those you owe honor. Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:7-8

He then offers words that we could use every moment as we go through our day, “Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor: Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:9b-10 Paul closes chapter 13 with a warning to be prepared and “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and don’t make plans to gratify the desire of the flesh.” Romans 13:14

Chapter 14 provides us instructions on how to interact with other believers who may be younger in the faith than us or who may hold other customs or traditions that we hold. Paul encourages us to ensure we aren’t hurting or hindering the faith of those around us. Again, Paul is specifically talking about issues of their day and situations with converted Jews and other people who now follow Christ. For us today, this is vitally as important. We want to ensure we lift our brothers and sisters up, not condemning anyone or making anyone stumble. We want to do our best to be examples of Christ to those around us. When dealing with authority and people around us, we need to remember that the goal is to represent God- it’s not about us.

Intermingled in between these difficult texts, Paul brings up love, peace, edification, readiness, light, decency, and a few other character traits worth striving towards. The only way we can actively show the world these traits is to spend time with God in prayer and His word. We have to look to Him as an example. Life can be so discouraging and frustrating at times, but He is able to keep us centered on Him and truth. People all around us are hurting, lonely, fearful of the future, or in need of something else. Loving those around us as we love ourselves is one of the greatest commandments outside of loving God. Sometimes we confuse this verse with self-esteem. That’s not exactly the case here. We love ourselves enough to feed ourselves, put on clothes, find shelter, find warmth, drink clean water, etc. To love those around us, we need to think about what we want in that situation. We can all agree we want to be treated with dignity and respect, right? I’d say that is a good challenge for us as we go about our day…treat those around us with dignity and respect. That is the simplest thing we can do that can show love like we’d want it shown to us. If you see a need in front of you, think of how you could differently handle that need. When our actions start taking place of our loud words, people are truly met with the Love of our Father. He wants to shower people with His love, and you and I are His instruments to do so. This has nothing to do with politics, traditions, or culture mentioned in the text. This is just another reminder in the Word of God about the importance and value of love. As Paul says, “Put on Christ,” meaning imitate His character and words. We know how he would act by spending time in the Bible meditating on the truths found in Scripture. Let His word be a light for your path.

Lord God, forgive us for the times we speak louder than we need to and don’t show love. Forgive us for causing others to stumble based on our personal words and opinions. Lord, I choose to put on Christ today. Show me ways I can share you with others through my actions and the way I choose to love those around me. Help me not to judge others as your word says we will each give an account for ourselves before God. Soften my heart to hear your truth. Correct us, Father. Make us whole. Show us how to love as you have first loved us. Thank you for your example. In Jesus’ name, Amen.