a love to define me

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 13:10

Love is the attribute that should define all relationships with all people. That is what Romans 13:8-14 is telling us. Christians are called to love one another within the Church, the Body of Christ. But much more than in church, we must embody the love of Christ outside in all of our lives! Paul has been arguing this point in the broader context starting in Romans 12:9. Here’s the bulleted list (Hang on… it’s long!):

• Love has to be genuine. It can’t be faked. (Romans 12:9).
• Love abhors evil, clings to righteous living. (Romans 12:9)
• Brotherly affection guides Christians to love one another. (Romans 12:10)
• Love drives the ultimate “competition”: Outdo one another in honoring each other! (Romans 12:10)
• Love creates a fervent spirit of service and rejects lazy forms of spirituality. (Romans 12:11)
• Love focuses on serving Christ when serving others. (Romans 12:11)
• Love brings hope, patience, and constant prayer. (Romans 12:12)
• Love is generous financially. (Romans 12:13)
• Love is hospitable. (Romans 12:13)
• Love blesses even those who hate and persecute believers. (Romans 12:14)
• Love enters willingly into both joys and pains of others. (Romans 12:15)
• Love is harmonious, not proud, not standoffish, and not hypocritical. (Romans 12:16)
• Love seeks peace. (Romans 12:17-21)
• Love submits to civil authority. (Romans 13:1-7)
• Love fulfills all the law by loving neighbor as self. (Romans 13:8-10)
• Love “puts off” sins of the flesh with all seriousness and “puts on” the attitudes and actions of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13:11-14)

O Lord,

Lead me to keep loving like this… loving like You do with Your love. You love the world. You love Your Church. You love those lost in darkness. You love the broken and the hurting. You love me. May my love reflect Yours until I am with You forever!

Amen