Romans 13:8-14: The Believer’s Love and Strategy for Godliness (part 3)

 Part 3

Paul has moved on from our responsibility to the government (vs. 1-7) to how we relate to individuals around us in the world. Then he lays out steps for the believer to win in the fight against indwelling sin and outside temptations. We must lay things aside and replace them with God’s better things.

III.  God has given the duty and responsibility to believers to stop owing anyone any late debts. vs. 8a

A.     This does not forbid loans for a house. It forbids not making payments according to your contract on your house.

B.     This does not forbid a business loan. The baker and the banker can share the profits. But the baker needs to continue to pay back the bank the money he borrowed on time.

C.     Light bills and phone bills are sent after the use of the service. After the grace period is up, this becomes a “debt.” When paid on time, it is only a bill and not a biblical debt. This is called an ‘Open Account.’

IV.  God has given the duty and responsibility to the believer to start loving each other. vs. 8b-10

A.     Love the LORD God with all your being and possessions (Deut 6:5)

B.     Love your neighbor vs. 9

1. For unbelievers — love as much as you love yourself.

2. For believers — love others better than you love yourself. John 13:34-35

3. The believers’ common life together is seen in the “one another” commands.

C.     Biblical love automatically fulfills the moral law.

1. Paul applies commandments 6, 7, 8, and 10 of the Ten Commandments to Gentile Christians after Pentecost (5 & 9 are in Luke 18:20; Eph 6:1-3; Col 3:9).

2. Paul quotes Jesus applying two great laws that cover the Ten Commandments, but focuses on the second great commandment, which deals with commandments 5-10.

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” (Mat 22:37-40 HCSB)

3. Paul notes Jesus did not annul or replace the moral law. He clarified and expanded it. He did fulfill the ceremonial law (the purity and worship regulations). The civil law was for the theocratic nation Israel but has principles for Christians. The moral law is eternal.

D.     Biblical love does a lot of good for others. vs. 10

E.      Biblical love practiced fulfills God’s moral law naturally. vs. 10

V.  God has given the duty and responsibility to the believer to replace ungodliness with Christlikeness using God’s strategy. vs. 11-14

A.     The believer needs to be alert to the spiritual dangers around him/her. vs.11

1. The time for sleep is over. Be like a guard on duty—ready and awake.

2. Glorification, the completion of our salvation, is drawing closer each day.

3. The approaching day of the Lord calls on each of us to seize the opportunities for the kingdom that are before us.

B.     The believer has things he/she needs to lay aside—to take off (a command). vs. 12

1. Dark deeds, sinful, evil, and wicked works will not be on earth forever.

2. Take off and set aside your night garments and put on your work clothes.

C.     The believer has things he/she needs to put on to replace the old ways. vs. 12

1. Armor prepares one for battle. (put on = command) Fight sinful desires.

2. Light symbolizes holiness and truth. Obey God’s moral commands.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these, the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away (Col 3:5-8a ESV). You put on the new self; the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth. (Eph 4:24 HCSB)

D.     The believer is to choose to behave morally before God by replacing sin with good vs. 13

1. Put off (set aside) a life of extreme parties and the sin of drunkenness. [large group sins]

2. Put off all sexual immorality and obscene or promiscuous behavior. [two people’s sins]

3. Put off all fighting and being jealous.

E.      The believer is to surrender to Jesus the Messiah instead of sin. vs. 14 (Rom 6:12-18)

F.      The believer is not to make plans or provide ways for the gratification of his/her sinful desires. vs. 14

1. Instead of storing up what is necessary to commit the sin, flee from the scene.

2. Fight sin at the desire level so that it cannot provide the opportunity for your fall into the sinful act. It all starts in the inner man—in the heart.

[Outline modified from George W. Anderson class substitute lecture for Richard Belcher]