Romans 13:8
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
We have studied this verse before, but it is a great reminder of the great command of our Lord Jesus – that we should love one another. For love fulfills the will of God for our lives….
John 13:34-36 (NIV)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1 John 3:11 (NIV)
11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
1 John 3:23-24 (NIV)
23 And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.
1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:11-13 (NIV)
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 13 This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit.
When you look at the Gospel … the key message (the will) of God is to believe in His Son, Jesus … who is the Messiah … the Christ! When you consider it … the key message (the will) of Christ Jesus is that we love one another as He has loved us. It is evident to see that His love is a sacrificial love … a love based in compassion and forgiveness. Jesus joyfully paid the debt that we owed. He calls us to do so for one another. This is HOW we demonstrate our love for Him. We continue His work of love … as members of His Body … and manifest His presence in the world.
Lord Jesus, I pray we will be in truth the Light of the world you have commissioned us to be. (Cf. Matthew 5:14) As your servants … as your heart, hands, and feet in this world … grant that through us that those who are lost will encounter you and be change through the power of your great love. For if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. Amen.
So Now You Know 