Verse of the Day (February 21, 2020)

Verse of the Day (February 21, 2020) #BMSeminary – These verses conclude Paul’s call for proactive love across the sweep of believers’ lives that began back in 12:9. “Owe” in 13:8 refers back to verse 7. Believers should not be in debt for back taxes or other forms of social irresponsibility. The gospel calls for more, and that is “to love each other” (v. 8 ). Properly understood and applied, all God’s commandments are good and important, as Paul already argued (see 3:31; 7:12). But together, they point to the expression of all laws combined: the embodiment of God’s own nature (see 1 John 4:8, 16) in fond personal regard for others (Rom. 13:9). To break the commands mentioned in 13:9 would be to violate the love imperative; to “love your neighbor” is a form of living out in the Spirit what the law calls for (v. 10; see also 8:4). It should be observed how closely Paul connects Old Testament Scripture with what gospel belief means for Christians (see also 15:4). Christians love. That is what we do. In this is our entire ethic summed up. Yet we love not to earn God’s love for us, but in reflection of, and being assured of, his love. (Gospel Transformation Study Bible)