Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome, encouraging them and teaching them. Those living in Rome weren’t able to sit and learn like we do. If they were discovered talking about or reading about or singing about Jesus, they could be captured and used as lion food or as the “bowling pins” for gladiators. The more fortunate ones were killed on the spot.
To this persecuted church, Paul wrote, “Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
This came right after he listed the things from the Law that describe loving people: Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t covet. These are the words Jesus boiled down to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
It seems to me that this kind of love is a choice. A person chooses whether or not to have sex outside their marriage. A person chooses whether or not to kill someone or steal what belongs to another or focus on having what another has. All choices.
Paul said agape (love) fulfills the requirements of the Law. It chooses well because it is the right and loving way.
Let’s take an honest look at ourselves today. Are we loving our neighbors as ourselves – and as we read the ‘list’ of loving things, let’s don’t forget what Jesus said as He preached from the mount. You know, lusting after one is adultery and so on?
Maybe as we examine ourselves we should ask God to show us where we fall short so we can agree with Him about that (confess) and turn from those choices (repent) and move on to make better ones.
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
