Love Is Foundational

This morning I am continuing my reading from Paul's letter to the Romans 13:8-12 NIV:

[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."

[11] "And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. [12] The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

One of the things that I really like about Paul is the way he understands the Law, and how he is able to convey the Gospel of Grace more effectively because of that knowledge.  The Law was focused so much on works, and the new covenant is focused on relationships.  As Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34.  Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law so we don't need to , but Law pointed us in the right direction, and that seems to be Paul's point here.  Loving one another is basically fulfilling what the intent was of the law.  We are called to  love each other in such a way that others know we are His followers (paraphrase of John 13:35).

Our relationships with the Lord and with others is and should be the primary focus of our life in the Body of Christ.  So often we are called to participate in programs, in services, in different activities, all of which are good but certainly not a substitute for our foundation of relationships.  If that is the case, then our church should be be focused primarily around relationship not around services or sermons.  I think in many ways we have lost that familial or body mentality in our churches.  We are all sons and daughters of Him, so that should make us all part of the same family.  How different would our church experience be if it felt like we were hanging out with our brothers and sisters?

Paul's last encouragement, was that this should increasingly be our focus, as the Day of the Lord approaches.  We must understand that our lives matter and so do our relationships with others.  Normally if one thinks the end is near, the focus is directed towards that which is most important, that which matters  most, and to Paul that is our relationships with one another.

So let us love well!  Let us invest in our relationships in the Body, building the foundation.  Let us care for one another, loving each other well.  Let us show the world the love that sets us apart. John 13:35 NIV: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Amen!