“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8 NIV)
Love’s debt is never paid.
Each day God gives us, we are to love. Acts of love are what will carry people through life. We have no idea how far one act of love travels. When we love like Jesus, lives change. Bonds break. Relationships heal.
Who are we to love? Everyone. How are we to love? Humbly:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil. 2:3-4 NIV)
Humble hearts serve others.
Humility is difficult to maintain on our own. Pride is quick to rear its ugly head. Recently, I was teaching a 10 and Under tennis class. My strongest student asked to play a particular game. “After all,” he said, “I usually win.” Arguing with him wasn’t an option, he wasn’t wrong. My only response, “Pride goes before a fall.” He smiled at my words, admitting he was prideful, but for a reason. As the game unfolded, he lost. Every point he played, he lost. Shock was my response, humility was his. God keeps us humble.
Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians gave us specific directions on how to love:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:3-7 ESV)
Love done right is the bomb. My brother recently celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary. His daughter wrote a beautiful tribute to her parents on her Facebook page. Love done right. My tennis partner poured her heart into her tennis camps. In 90 plus heat, she loved the 5-12 year olds she taught to the best of her ability. When I was at her house recently, she showed me the drawings the kids had done for her. Her face beamed at the stick figures holding racquets. Love done right. My husband’s love and patience with me over our marriage has healed my heart from decades old scars. Love done right.
But love done right is hard. Love requires work. Sick days don’t exist when it comes to love. For me to love people, I need constant contact with God. Prayer is our love language. My tie with Him, helps me pay my debt of love to others. Without God, love doesn’t exist. Only through Him can we truly love others.
Loving others is fulfilling the law.
Question of the Day:
Who do you need God’s help loving today?
Further Reading: 2 Chronicles 26-28 NIV, Romans 13:1-14 NIV, Psalm 23 NIV, Proverbs 20:11 NIV
