Presented, January 8, 2006 pm
OWE NO ONE ANYTHING
Romans 13:8-10
Tonight, we continue our study of the text of Romans. We are in the midst of addressing how we as Christians are to treat others. In our last lesson, we noted our relationship and responsibilities to the government. Tonight we want to study two things associated with our relationship with everyone. Remember, it’s not just about you!
I. Owe No One Anything
a.
Does this mean we cannot borrow from others? NO.
Jesus taught that borrowing was acceptable in Matthew 5:42 – do not turn away
from him who wants to borrow. Psalm 37:21 – the wicked borrows and does not
pay…
under the Old Law, there were regulations that allowed borrowing, but condemned
usury. Exodus 22:25-27, Deuteronomy 15:8 – actually encouraged if you have the
ability. Deut. 23:19-20
b.
This is not to say that we should continually borrow
and live our lives in debt. There are clear dangers associated with credit. We
live in a consumer society where credit is just one of the many areas that can
destroy us if we are not careful. While it is not wrong to borrow, it is wrong
to squander your resources on riotous living and the like. The average person
who is in trouble financially did not intend for that to happen – he planned to
pay back everything he owed. But something happens – either he has no
self-control or some setback prevents him from being able to make ends meet one
month and then it is downhill.
Proverbs 22:7 says, “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant
to the lender.”
Also Proverbs 22:26-27
c. Concerning debt, we must be honest in our business dealings and keep our debts current.
d. The way he uses this text is the same as John 6:27 where Jesus said, “Do not labor for food which perishes…” Obviously we need to labor for food, but there are more important things.
II. But to Love One Another
a. Paul’s point in this verse is – do your best to be out of debt, BUT there is one debt you can NEVER fully pay – Love for your neighbors. The word love in this text is present tense – meaning it is continual action.
i. NOTE: Paul is writing to both Jews and Gentiles. Many Jewish Christians were slow in giving up the Law of Moses and wanted to bind it upon Gentiles. Here Paul tells them that all they need to be concerned about with the Law is loving one another.
ii. Some of the 10 commandments are mentioned (Exodus 20:1-17) – the last 5 which deal with our relationship with all men.
iii. Paul notes that all these and any other commandments are summed up in this ONE saying – “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
b. To “love your neighbor as yourself” is used several times in the New Testament.
i. It originated in Leviticus 19:18, 34, as a part of several moral and ceremonial laws that were to regulate their conduct.
ii. Matthew 5:43 – Jesus elaborates on its meaning and addressed its abuse by some. Some had said it only applied to those they considered their neighbors. They could hate their enemies if they wanted. Jesus said, LOVE EVERYONE – 44-48
iii. Matthew 19:19 – as Jesus initially answered the rich, young ruler concerning what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. I find it interesting that it is added to some of the 10 commandments (like our text). It seems to me that the Jews understood the importance of this command as a part of their law.
iv.
Matthew 22:37-39 – when asked what is the greatest
commandment, this was the 2nd greatest commandment. Second only to
loving God with your all.
That they understood this is seen in Luke 10:25-28 where a Lawyer tests Jesus.
v. Galatians 5:13-14 – all the law fulfilled in this “one word.” Here Paul notes that we ought not to take advantage of one another.
vi. James 2:8-10 – referred to the royal law. James is dealing with treating everyone the same without showing partiality.
c. This leads to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” – Luke 10:29-36. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus answered – it is ANYONE we have opportunity to do good for.
d. Love does no harm to his neighbors
i. This is illustrated in the Good Samaritan – we know that the Levite and priest were not commended for their indifference. Jesus’ point was they were NOT the neighbors they ought to be.
ii. No harm means in every area
1. Physically – we act like good neighbors in every sense of the word. An asset to the neighborhood, doing good deeds as we ought to. Galatians 6:10
2. Emotionally - we do nothing to provoke our neighbor to anger, etc.
3. Financially – we pay what we owe as mentioned in our text
4.
Spiritually – we do nothing to harm our spiritual
standing in their presence. We don’t want our neighbors to be able to use us as
a crutch for not serving God – 1 Peter 3:16, 2:12. When Peter played the
hypocrite in Galatians 2:11-16 he was rebuked because Paul knew the damage such
behavior would have.
David, when he sinned against Bathsheba and Uriah, was rebuked by Nathan. One
of the condemnations was that his conduct gave the nations cause to blaspheme
God – 2 Samuel 12:14. See also Romans 2:24 where Paul applies this to the
self-righteous Jews.
e. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law. All the laws in the world are useless if we do not have a proper attitude. Consider 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
What Paul has said here is extremely important for each of us to keep in mind. If we can learn to love our neighbors as we ought to, many issues can be resolved. And those that cannot be resolved will be taken care of by God. How are you paying your ‘debt’ to your neighbors?