4/26/22

Our scripture this morning is Romans 13:8‭-‬11.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 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.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 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.

Paul uses the example of the commandments that deal with personal relationships to show how “love your neighbor as yourself” covers them all. When we apply this to every interaction with people, we are sharing the love of Jesus as well as our own. This is how we are called to be connected to God and each other.

I have heard an explanation that the vertical bar of the cross represents our relationship with God and the horizontal bar depicts our relationship with each other. This is a great lesson for us, that Jesus died out of love for His Father and us, and we are meant for the same connection with God and each other. God created us out of love and it must be the primary motivation for everything we do.

Paul reminds us that the kingdom of God has come near to us. The time to accept Christ is now! He calls us all into the sacrificing love of the cross, ready to share God’s blessing with the world.

Loving Lord, thank You for Your creating and sustaining love, shown fully in the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. Help us to share that love always. Amen.

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