Are We Fulfilling our Obligation?

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves one another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 NKJV)

There is a question I think we need to ask ourselves today, and that question is this: are we loving the way we should be? I'm not talking about the people who, each of us as individuals, find it easy or effortless task to love. No, I'm talking about people who are not always easy to love; people whom it sometimes seems impossible to love. I'm talking about our neighbors, and by neighbors I'm not referring to the people who live to the left or the right of us, or who reside across the street from us. I'm talking about our fellow man, period: any other member of the human family, which is what the Bible means when it tells us to … love our neighbors as ourselves. (Matthew 22:39, NKJV) Are we loving these individuals like we should be?

And before we rush to answer yes, let's understand what we are declaring if and when we answer affirmatively. We are saying that we have adhered to how the word of God tells us to love with commands like:

• " But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44, NKJV) I know this might seen like one of the hardest things in the world to do so let's try something a bit simpler.

• Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10, NIV)

• Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Is our love, on a daily basis, what is the bible tells us it should be? Recently I had to realize that in every situation and regarding every person mine was not. In certain situations, my love was lacking and deficient. Regarding some people, my love was only partial and for others it was definitely conditional. It took me some serious soul searching to realize where I was ay, and upon that realization, I had to seek the face of the Lord so that I could get my love to where it needed to be. Today, if you realize that your love is not unconditional, humble, selfless, submissive, of your own free-will, the result of you living your life through Christ, one that you are willing to share with and demonstrate to, anyone and anytime, then close your eyes at this very moment and ask Jesus for his help because you need it. I needed it, and whether we realize it or not, the world needs it.

We live at time when loving your fellow man because it's the right thing to do is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. People are hurting, not just Christians but non-Christians also. They're depressed, they're lonely, they're desperate, they're in anguish, and severely in need of someone to show them the love of Christ. They don't need to be merely told of the love of Jesus; they need to be shown it by those of us who have experienced it for ourselves. If we, the children of God, aren't showing the love of God in its purest form, how will the world ever begin to believe that it really exists? If we are not loving the way the Bible commands, we need to start right away, and if we're not sure what Biblical love looks like, let's allow the word of God to show us.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand it's own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives us, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (I Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT)

This is what our love looked like, it's always what we should be showing to people. It's what God showed to us. God has loved us, comforted us, and protected us. He's been kind and patient with us even when we weren't worthy of such blessings. When there was nowhere else for us to turn, God was always there extending his love for us; who are we not to reciprocate to others what has been so freely and abundantly given to us.

So, this day, if you have been loving like we've been commanded to, then continue to do so: continue to be a blessing to those you come into contact with and continue to be a brightly shining example of the Lord you serve. But, if you haven't been loving accordingly, then resolve within yourself to start today. Today let's love without limits, without any boundaries, without any conditions, without and prejudices or preferences, and regardless of any differences in background, race, social status, or any system of belief. Let's love fervently, placing the cares of others over our own. Today, let's loves like Jesus, it's what we have been commanded to do and it's what the world need! Fulfill your obligation with love.

Prayer for today: Loving and compassionate God, teach us to love as we have been loved. Strengthen us and help us to live Jesus' commandment to love as we have been loved. In Jesus name, Amen.