2022_08_15 Insight Post- Kim Feld

As I read Romans 13 and 14, I am reminded once again of the value God places on love. Right in the middle of writing about submission to those in authority and quarreling over non-essentials (two very divisive topics), Paul has this to say about love:

⁸ Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. ⁹ 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 neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8 – 10, NIV)

 Immediately following these verses, Paul says we need to do this, “understanding the present time.” He says that our salvation is nearer than when we first believed, which is accurate for us now as then. We are closer to Christ’s return today than we were yesterday. We don’t know when it will occur, but we must be aware and ready. Paul’s words are clear when I look at our world and all that is happening around us.

The Church as a whole and the individuals who are part of it, have an opportunity to show the world something different than it’s currently seeing. If it truly is the kindness of God that draws us to repentance (see Romans 2:4), how can anything less than love and kindness from His people point others to Him? Do we honestly believe people will be drawn to God by throwing “truth” in their faces through our anger-filled social media rants? Do we not believe God will hold us accountable for how we’ve treated others in His name? Look at these verses from James:

 ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. ²⁷ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:26-27, NIV)

Love does no harm to a neighbor. We are to continue loving as if we are making payments on a debt and, in a way, we are. But our debt can never be repaid. If Jesus hadn’t stamped us paid in full by His sacrifice, we’d be lost. Showing love to others is what God has asked us to do because of the mercy and grace He’s given us. We are to love because He loved.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, NLT)

Kim Feld
Executive Director of Education and Outreach