ROMANS 13:8-10
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he 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 bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
”Romans 13:8-10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.13.9.NKJ
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We believers must obey God’s law of love, which is the fulfilment of the Law, and by the way, supersedes all religious and civil law.
If you truly love your neighbour as yourself, you shall not cause them any harm, but rather, you desire them to be happy and successful; you want what is best for them.
You do not cheat your loved ones, or murder (hate), or steal, or lie about them, nor are you jealous of them, you are happy for their achievements even when they appear to be greater than your own, and you certainly do not gossip about them or covet those whom are dear to you.
Rather you help, comfort, and encourage them; you are happy for them when they are blessed, and you care enough to help them when in need.
You discipline those you love with the loving discipline of Christ, just as He disciplines those He loves (HEBREWS 12:6).
It is all to easy to excuse our indifferences to others merely because we don’t have a legal obligation to help, or even justify harming them if our actions are technically legal. But the truth is, God leaves no loopholes in His Law; God’s people must go beyond all human legal requirements and imitate God’s love for us, which is totally unconditional and selfless.
Make the decision to love your neighbour as yourself; to care for them as we care for ourselves; to care enough to feed him who is hungry without expectation of something in return, even those who are full of hate toward you, “For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.”
Proverbs 25:22 NKJV
Love isn’t just a feeling, it is a decision and an action of care, and we believers have a duty of care toward all our neighbours, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, for what one withholds from the least of Christ’s children, he withholds from Christ, and what he does to the least of Christ children, He does to Christ and eternal judgment can fall upon him (MATHEW 25:31-46).
But giving must be by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
To give isn’t always about money or food; it can be ministerial, disciplinary, or encouragement; to give out of emotions or for any other reason may undermine the work God is doing in that person.
So often many bailout their loved ones time and time again, but it’s not always what they need.
Sometimes people need to hear the response no.
We can’t help those who are not willing to help themselves; those who go around and around in the same old; we can’t change anyone, only God can do that.
Sometimes, we all have to face the consequences of our actions so that we become willing to change and bow to our Lord and Saviour. Most have to fall to the bottom of the pit before they can bounce back up; sometimes, we have to stand aside and let them fall and trust God to lift them up.
But that love that you have for your own children, you’re closest loved ones that forgives every time; that stirs up your emotions to help them whatever and whenever they are in need or struggling, is the love you should have for your neighbour.
Jesus said, “”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV
My brethren, if we all obeyed these two great commandments, this world would instantly become a better place to live and we would all fulfil God’s Law, because “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.””
Matthew 22:40 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.