BIBLE STUDY – FRIDAY, 20TH JULY, 2018
THEME FOR THE YEAR: “UNLIMITED RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE” (Ephesians 2: 8 – 10).
TOPIC: “Love: the fulfilment of the law”
TEXT: Romans 13: 8-14
AIM: To understand the place of love in our Christian walk and to realize the urgency of the times we are in.
INTRODUCTION:
In the passage we read last week, Paul concluded with the importance of our fulfilling our obligations to civil authorities that we are subject to, by paying our taxes when due and meeting other obligations. This week the focus has shifted to believers’ debts or obligations to one another. He commanded in verse 8, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law”. Good News Translation puts it this way “Be under obligation to no one – the only obligation you have is to love one another. Whoever does this has obeyed the Law”. While Paul is not totally saying that all borrowing is wrong, the injunction here is that “Christians are to leave no debts, no obligations to their fellowmen, un-discharged.”
However, we do have a debt that continues forever (“to love one another”): It is our obligation to seek the welfare of our fellow human beings. Jesus in John 13:34-35 says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”; Love signifies a deep, unselfish, superhuman affection which one person has for another. This unearthly love is not activated by any virtue in the person loved; rather, it is completely undeserved. It is unlike any other love, in that it goes out not only to the lovable but to one’s enemies as well. This love manifests itself in giving, and generally in sacrificial giving. Thus, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John 3:16). Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.
The importance of continually showing love is seen in the conclusion by Paul in v10b, that “love is the fulfilling of the law”. Love is not a mere external conformity to rules, it is the essence of the Law (cf. Gal. 5:14).
Paul went from verse 11 to raise an urgent concern and make an appeal about the times we are in and how to walk in these times. He asked the Christian to
- Wake up now from sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time.
- Mind our way, and mend our pace, we are nearer our journey’s end.
- Make ourselves ready as the night is far spent and the day is at hand; therefore, it is time to dress ourselves and prepare for the day by putting on the armour of light.
- Putting on Christ means putting on the righteousness of Christ and His love
We shall be discussing all these at this study and the impact it should have in our Christian walk.
TALK BACK
- In view of other Scriptures what is your understanding of Paul’s injunction in Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything” (cf. Matt. 5:42)
- How is love the fulfilment of the law and knowing the importance of love, what must today Christians do to love others as commanded by Jesu Christ
- What makes the “night to be far spent” and what practical steps must we take to prepare for the day? What does Paul mean by the day?
CONCLUSION:
Christians must avoid useless expense and be careful not to contract any debts they have not the power to discharge. They are also to stand aloof from all daring speculations and rash engagements, and whatever may expose them to the danger of not rendering to all their due. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore, it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off – clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness and put on the armour of light
MEMORY VERSE: Romans 13: 10 – Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.