By Romans 13:8–10 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the 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: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
On the flip side of every do not in the Bible is a do. On the flip side of every do not in the Bible is the same do. And this do is love.
Knowing love fulfills the law really simplifies things. Being acquainted with the Scriptures is very important, yet God does not expect us to memorize the entirety of his canon. He has boiled down and simplified his Word so that every person in all of creation can know his will for their lives.
If I love my neighbor I will not kill him, steal from him, commit adultery with his wife, nor covet his stuff. If I love God I will not take his name in vain, worship any created image, nor fail to set aside a day for his sake. If I love my parents, I will honor them. If I love my boss I will work hard and efficiently. If I love my government I will pay all required taxes and fees. If I love the church I will use my gifts and resources to serve her. If I love my wife I will give myself up for her as Christ did His church. If I love the homeless I will feed them. If I love children I will teach them and desire more of them. If I love … well, you get the picture.
We are to be indebted to no one, yet are also to be indebted to everyone. We are to owe no one anything except to love them. And to love them is to owe them everything.
Questions for the kids
- Is there any person or classification of persons that I am not required to love? (Answer: we are not commanded to love false teachers)
- At any given moment, if you are not loving someone (say your sibling), what are you doing to them?
- Is there a middle ground between love and hate?
- Can you explain to me the law of excluded middle?
Leading Family Devotions 