Romans 13:8-14 (NRSV)
Read Romans 13:8-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Verse 9The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Verse 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Verse 11Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; Verse 12the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; Verse 13let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Verse 14Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
Devotion
Now Paul sums up the commandments: "Love your neighbor as yourself." I have often heard people speak of this “Law of Love.” But I think that just confuses Law and Gospel. The Good News is we are freed from sin by Christ Jesus to love our neighbor. But it is not left up to us to determine how we could best love our neighbor. That love is best demonstrated by keeping the commandments! Keeping the commandments is not self gratification. Keeping the commandments shows concern for others and their well-being. As Luther said in the Small Catechism, “We are to fear and love God that …," and he went on with his explanation of the commandment. If we truly love God and our neighbor we will seek to “live honorably.” The best way I know how to do that is by following the commandments we were given.
Prayer
Lord, help us to live honorable lives. Amen.