Topic: Our Debt of Love [Friday February 12, 2016]
Text: Romans 13:8-14
Key Verse: “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8).
An admirer offered a highly gifted old cobbler five pound sterling (which meant so much at that time).The money was an unsolicited loan for the expansion of the cobbler’s business. The money was accepted with thanks.
However, after three days of wrestling with the thought of owing such a huge amount of money, the old man returned the fund intact to the lender with the explanation that he had lost his peace because of the loan. Indebtedness is such a miserable experience that, in every culture, there is an axiom that speaks ill of it. In the same vein, Apostle Paul enjoins Christians to “owe no man any thing”. Whereas it is not a sin to owe money or material, the Christian should as much as possible, stay out of debt. It is wicked to fail to pay a debt that you are in a position to pay.
In the same breadth, we are told here of a necessary debt that we owe our neighbours which we must continue to pay. It is the debt of love. Even though the world has grossly abused the term “love”, the Bible clarifies the concept. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Genuine love will make us not to even think or plan any evil against others, let alone doing things that can hurt their person or fortune. For the Christian, love is not only a restraining influence but a constraining one. True love constrains us to do good to others as much as lies in our power. In a world that is terribly darkened by hate, racism, injustice, greed and selfishness, your show of genuine love will brighten the corner where you are.
Religious profession and devotion that is bereft of love that springs from a renewed heart is worthless. We must examine ourselves in the light of this reality, especially considering the shortness of time at our disposal, and shake off every work of darkness.
Thought for the day: He who loves unconditionally like Christ has life eternally with Him.
Bible Reading in one Year: Mark 4-6
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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