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Romans 13:8-14
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Love Fulfills God’s Requirements
In these verses, we see that anger and bitterness are forbidden for Christians just as much as drunkenness and sexual immorality. Here we see not only what we are to avoid but how we are to avoid it. God’s desires us to live a life that fulfills his law and that doesn’t happen by passively trying not to break the law. These verses say that we can fulfill the law through love. Paul implores the Christians in Rome (and us) to live attractive lives of love. This isn’t referring to a flawless life, but to one in which we deny our own desires in order to do what’s best for our neighbors. It’s a life that mirrors the self-giving love of Jesus.
The imagery used here of “taking off dirty clothes and putting on shining armor” speaks volumes. Armor is not worn as casual attire; it is worn to acquire a victory. The ultimate victory has been accomplished on the cross for our sake. Now let us live victoriously in the light and new life that God provides.
QUESTIONS
Why would Paul think these matters were so urgent? Do you see them as urgent matters in your life?
What does ‘clothing yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ look like to you? How can you make this part of your daily life?