“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
Romans 13:8
The Bible teaches us that love is not just an instruction to follow, but the essence of God’s law fulfilled in Christ. Far from being an obligation, love is an ongoing debt that believers are called to embrace. This liberates us from the Old Testament law, while binding us to the law of Christ which is rooted in love.
LET NO DEBT REMAIN OUTSTANDING
Believers are called to fulfil their financial responsibilities, ensuring they honour their commitments. It ties into the biblical principle of stewardship, where Christians are entrusted to handle their resources carefully (Matt 5:37; Luke 16:10-12). The call to owe no one anything is of financial responsibility and serves as a reminder to live responsibly and faithfully in all areas of life.
THE CONTINUING DEBT OF LOVE
There is an exception to debts, which is the continuing debt to love one another. This is a unique debt— one that can never be fully repaid. Unlike financial obligations, where debts are settled, the debt of love is continuous. Love is not something you settle and move on; it is a continuous responsibility.
Christians are called to love endlessly, and this love is not transactional. We often reduce love to a transactional exchange, where we expect something in return for our efforts. But true love is not about repayment. True love is given freely and endlessly, without keeping track of what we are owed. When we view love as a debt others owe us, we shift the focus from them to ourselves. This is not the kind of love that honors God. God expects us to love without expecting anything in return.
FULFILLING THE LAW
Apostle Paul asserts that anyone who loves others has fulfilled the law. Although believers are freed from the Old Testament law (Rom 7:4-6), this freedom does not mean we are free from all obligations. The New Testament reveals that we are now under the law of Christ, which is centered on love. Jesus Christ simplified the complexity of Old Testament laws into this singular command: love God and your neighbour (Matt 22:37-40). Galatians 5:13-14 encourages us to use our freedom to serve one another in love. In this way, the entire law is fulfilled through the command, love your neighbor as yourself. It is a principle that shapes our decisions and interactions with others.
A CALL TO LOVE OTHERS
Jesus Christ commanded His disciples, “Love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35). This is beyond human ability, but it is only possible through our union with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who poured out God’s love into our hearts (Rom 5:5). God instructs us to love others as Christ loves us, which means we cannot define love on our own terms. Under the law of love, we are called to a deeper, sacrificial love modelled by our Lord Jesus. This love is a divine mandate and reflects Christ in our lives, as written in 1 John 4:19: “We love because He first loved us.” It is a lifestyle that prioritises compassion and service to others.
Love is the ultimate fulfilment of God’s commandments and reflects His heart. As followers of Christ, we are called to love others as Christ loves us. This endless love is what sets us apart as His disciples and makes us impactful in the world.
Further Study: 1 John 4:7-21; Romans 12:9-21
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