July 22, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another. (Romans 13:8)

Right before this verse, Paul encourages us to render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Now he says that after we have fulfilled that, we are to consider ourselves in debt to others.

Love is not one attribute of God, and then there are others, like justice and firmness. No, God IS love. All of His other attributes stem from that nature. His discipline is an act of love. His justice is based on love. Let us remember that we, His children, were also created in love and its likeness. If we consider that we owe our neighbor love, we will constantly walk according to that divine likeness.