Love Thy Neighbor | Romans 13

Church of The Word | Sunday Sermons

Love Thy Neighbor: The Foundation of True Justice and Peace

In this passage, Paul makes a profound connection between how we relate to governing authorities and how we live out the commandment to love one another. He begins by addressing the role of civil authorities and the Christian’s responsibility to respect and obey them. He reminds us that every governing authority exists because God, in His sovereignty, has allowed it. This is sometimes hard to swallow, especially when we consider unjust or corrupt governments. Yet, we are still called to respect and honor authority where it aligns with justice and righteousness.

But Paul quickly moves from discussing our civil obligations to our moral obligations. He takes us from the public sphere to the personal sphere, reminding us that the law of God is ultimately about love: “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

What Does It Mean to Love Your Neighbor?

Paul tells us that love is the fulfillment of the law. Think about that for a moment. Every commandment—whether it’s about adultery, murder, theft, or coveting—is, at its core, about how we love or fail to love our neighbor. These commandments aren’t arbitrary rules; they are principles that guide us in treating one another with dignity and respect.

Love Does No Harm to a Neighbor:

Paul sums it up this way: “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Love, in its truest sense, seeks the good of others. It doesn’t seek to take from them or harm them in any way. When we love our neighbor, we are walking in step with God’s heart because love is at the core of God’s character. Every command He gives is rooted in His love for us and His desire for us to reflect that love in the world.

Love Goes Beyond Just Avoiding Harm:

It’s not enough to just refrain from doing wrong; love is proactive. It seeks to build others up, to serve, to sacrifice, and to meet needs. When Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” He was calling us to consider the ways we naturally take care of ourselves—providing for our own needs, seeking our own good—and to apply that same energy and intentionality in caring for others.

Love in a Divided World

We live in a time where division seems to define much of our public discourse. Politics, race, social issues—these things can easily become walls between people, even between brothers and sisters in Christ. In the context of Romans 13, where Paul begins by addressing the issue of authority and governance, it’s clear that love for neighbor also applies to how we engage in these contentious areas. How do we love those who hold different political views from us? How do we love those we might disagree with on matters of culture or society?

Respect and Honor:

Loving our neighbor means that even when we disagree, we show respect. The Bible calls us to honor those in authority and to honor one another. This doesn’t mean we can’t voice our opinions or work for change where it’s needed, but it does mean that we must do so in a way that reflects Christ’s love.

Seeking Peace:

In the midst of contention, Christians are called to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9). A peacemaker isn’t someone who avoids conflict at all costs but someone who works to bring reconciliation and understanding.

Forgiving and Serving:

When Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), He was setting the highest possible standard for love. It’s easy to love those who love us, but true Christian love goes further. It seeks to bless even those who stand against us. This doesn’t mean compromising on truth or justice, but it does mean having a heart that desires the good of others, even when they oppose us.

Love as a Witness to the World

In John 13:35, Jesus tells His disciples, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” In a world full of division, hatred, and bitterness, one of the most powerful witnesses we can offer is the way we love. This love isn’t a passive, feel-good emotion, but a self-sacrificial commitment to the good of others.

Paul reminds us in Romans 13 that we owe no one anything except to love them. This is our ongoing debt—to love. And it’s a debt we never fully repay because we are continually called to love more, forgive more, and serve more, just as Christ loved us.

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