Living in Love and Light Romans 13:8-14 July 2, 2023

Introduction

Last week when we were in this passage which actually was several weeks ago we talked about submission to authorities over us period to governing authorities and rulers. This week we're talking about how we should relate to one another.

**Scripture Passage: Romans 13:8-14**

A. Begin with a story or personal anecdote related to debt and the relief of being debt-free.

Perhaps the biggest burdens we can face are the debts we owe whether it is credit card debt, house debt, school loans or other loans. There is nothing so freeing as finally paying off a debt. Even more freeing is the premise of having a debt forgiven or paid off.

Good friends of ours just took a job requiring a move back to Indiana. As they were looking for a house, her dad called and offered to give $150K as a gift towards the new house. Imagine the freedom and excitement you would have looking at a house that costs $230K and knowing you only need an $80K loan?!!

B. Transition to the idea of owing something much more important than money – love.

The Debt of Love (Romans 13:8)

Romans 13:8 ESV

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

A. Explain the concept of "owing no one anything, except to love each other."

Love is the one sanctioned unpaid debt. Here paul isn’t just tlaking about how we relate to others in the church. He is pointing our hearts and mind to how we live in the world around us.

In essence, this is what Paul is saying in this passage:

Romans B. Understanding Leads to Love for One Another (13:8–10)

“The way to open doors for the gospel in Rome is to avoid entanglements. We are on a kingdom mission of spreading the gospel, not morally rehabilitating the Roman Empire or its citizens. Obey the emperor and love your neighbors. If you do this you will live at peace and have greater opportunity to focus on the mission of the church in light of the coming end of the age.”

Our mission as believers is not to morally rehabilitate Terre Haute or America. It is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to more people's lives. Will that involve improving our community? Yes. Will that involve fighting for some moral issues? Yes. But our greatest mission is to live in service of our savior.

Interestingly, there’s a paradox in what Paul is saying here.

Romans B. Understanding Leads to Love for One Another (13:8–10)

in order to get out of debt to the law we have to go into debt to love—we fulfill the law when we love

B. Object Lesson Illustration: Use the visual aid of a ledger or balance sheet. On one side, list all the material possessions one might owe. On the other, write "love." This illustration will visually demonstrate the idea that no material debt is as significant or lasting as the debt of love we owe to each other.

1. Mortgage (Home loan)

2. Car Payment (Auto loan)

3. Student Loans

4. Credit Card Debt

5. Personal Loans

6. Medical Debt

7. Business Loans

8. Taxes

9. Furniture or Appliance Financing

10. Payday Loans

11. Loans from Friends or Family

12. Home Equity Loans

13. Small Debts (Unpaid bills, library fines, etc.)

We can’t ever meet all the demands on our lives including debts and all the demands of living perfectly before God. But we can keep the constant command of loving one another.

Love as Fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:9-10)

Romans 13:9–10 ESV

9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Paul mentions about 4 of the 10 commandments here and he echos what Jesus said

Matthew 22:39 ESV

39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

We are called to love our neighbor with the same motivation as we care for ourselves.

Just like we are commanded to love our spouses.

Ephesians 5:28–29 ESV

28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

B. Object Lesson Illustration: Show a puzzle where each piece represents a different commandment. The completed picture is love, showing how love is the embodiment of all these commandments.

Recognizing the Time: The Hour to Wake from Sleep (Romans 13:11)

Romans 13:11 ESV

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Paul calls us to look forward realizing that we are called to live for the hope God offers.

The more we live for and in God’s word the more we will have God’s perspective on life.

It’s like waking to see the sun come up. You get to experience the hope of a new day. God calls us to do that every day. Maybe not getting up with Elaine and Dennis at 3am....but getting up and meditating on the salvation God brings.

A. Connect the idea of "waking from sleep" to becoming aware of and responding to God's call to love.

B. Object Lesson Illustration: Use an alarm clock to show the urgency and necessity of waking up. Just as we need an alarm clock to wake us from our physical sleep, God's word serves as our spiritual alarm.

Insert alarm video.

Salvation is Near: Living in the Light (Romans 13:12)

Romans 13:12 ESV

12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

A. Discuss the metaphor of night and day, dark and light, explaining how it relates to sin and salvation.

People hoped for salvation and expected Christ’s return.

We hope for an imminant return of Christ but this hope is eschatological and not chronnoloogical.

B. Object Lesson Illustration: Use a lamp in a dark room to show the transformation when light overcomes darkness. Relate this to the spiritual awakening and transformation in our lives when we embrace God's love and salvation.

Walk Properly: Putting on Christ (Romans 13:13-14)

Romans 13:13–14 ESV

13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

A. Talk about the specific behaviors Paul mentions and why these behaviors are not compatible with living in love.

B. Object Lesson Illustration: Display two sets of clothes - one set ragged and dirty, representing the "deeds of darkness," and the other set clean and beautiful, representing "the Lord Jesus Christ." Show the process of taking off the old clothes and putting on the new, as a symbol of leaving behind sinful behaviors and embracing a life exemplifying Christ's love.

Conclusion

A. Review the key points of the sermon, emphasizing the importance of living in love as a response to God's command and Christ's example.

B. Invite the congregation to take practical steps to "put on Christ" in their daily lives, encouraging them to reflect love in their interactions with others.

Prayer

A. Pray for the congregation, asking God to fill everyone with His love and to help them show this love to others. Pray for the strength and will to "put on Christ" and live as children of light.