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
Paul wrote to the Roman congregations during their time of transitions. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jewish Christians from Rome. Upon their return, they found Gentile Christians were managing the church. Paul communicated ways people, including these Roman Christians, could be reconciled. He instructed them that love fulfills the law.
Luther found Paul's instructions fundamental to his teachings. In his Small Catechism, Luther expands his explanations beyond what the law forbids to what love requires. Luther instructs us that love does not commit adultery; it leads pure, decent lives that love and honor spouses. Love does not murder; it assists and supports our neighbors in "all life's needs." Love does not steal; it helps our neighbors "improve and protect their property and income." Love does not covet; it aids and serves our neighbors to keep what is theirs. Do our daily actions communicate with our neighbors that we love them as ourselves?
Prayer
Loving God, we praise you for sending Jesus, our Savior and role model for loving each other. Forgive us when we wrong our neighbors. Awaken us to act in ways that share your light and love with everyone. Amen.