Fulfillment of the Law

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:8-14 NIV

The KJV and the NASV both caution us in verse 8 not to “owe” anything but love to your neighbor. I like that phraseology. Then Paul details it: if you love someone, you will not commit adultery against him, or murder him or steal from him, or covet what is his, or break any other of the commandments regarding treatment of other humans. If we love others as ourselves, we will carefully consider any action that involves them, avoiding harm to them, thereby fulfilling the law.

It is important to cultivate this way of life, because we are no longer incubating, but are being awakened to the whole truth of God’s Word. We are now well into the Church Age, and the time is rapidly approaching when we will be entered into our eternal abode.

There has been a period of “night,” in which the plan of God was somewhat obscure in the devil’s world, but now Jesus has fulfilled the law and established His Church. We are New Species! We are not operating in the dark anymore, but have the clear vision and divine protection of the Holy Spirit’s perfect light. Since we live in the light now, let’s behave accordingly, as those who are not harboring sleazy secrets or nasty habits or unhealthy attitudes.

We are IN CHRIST! Forever! It is His nature we cultivate, not the gratuitous lusts of our Old Sin Nature (Romans 13:14 sarx:flesh). The way we relate to our fellow human beings is an indicator of our own spiritual status. This behavior is not a means of salvation, but the noticeable result of the Holy Spirit’s work in the soul of the saved. Love toward our fellows is not about what they deserve, but it is about Whose we are. The redeemer and sustainer of our souls loves unconditionally, from Himself.

IN HIM, we can do that, too.