What's Love Got To Do With It?

Romans 12:8-10

By Pastor Craig Phelps, May 11, 2024

Introduction: In the passage today, Paul is not telling us what we must do to get to heaven. He is telling us what is expected of us who claim to be followers of Christ, children of God, who by faith are on our way to heaven by the grace of God. He is going to give us a principle that should guide our every move in this life.

8a Owe no one anything except to love one another,

  • Love is the ultimate in all we do.
  • The love that we owe and show people will be fully paid.
  • We owe them love because has loved us. (John 13:34)

8b for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

  • The word fulfilled means to provide what is .
  • The law was good enough to show us right and wrong but it could not give us the right to obey it.
  • Obedience had to come from the . (Ephesians 5:1-2)
  • Obedience that does not come from love is . (1 Cor 13-1-3)

9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

  • It is not just about doing good with a heart compelled by love but also not doing . (Ephesians 5:3)
  • To say we love and at the same time act contrary to the Law of God is .
  • To understand love we must look to God, the word of God and even the very law of God which for us what love looks like and what it does not look like.
  • I could a man and never do those things but the law would not be fulfilled.
  • If I the man, with the love of God, I would never do any of these things?

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

  • In other words, the Law of God is intended for our and the good of our neighbor.
  • Love does not bring harm whether it be by trying to hurt someone or ignoring their need.
  • We are to good for all men and we do that by walking in the love of God as described in the scriptures.