Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:7-10)
Brilliant, this passage in scripture is blindingly brilliant. Consider with me the alpha and omega and the omega alpha of the above quotation from Romans. As we work our way through each sentence, whether from the first to the last, or in reverse from bottom to top, there is a dramatic erecting of a stunning structure built upon the principles of love. Love is the law, dear reader, can you see this too? Our mandate as humans, as friends, as relatives and neighbours, co-workers, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and even strangers, is to love. We fulfill God's law when we love. If we take the quotation in the negative, we see a series of Thou shalt nots, but the Thou shalt nots serve as guidelines on How to's, How to love your neighbour, as yourself.
Thou shalt render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom. In other words, pay those you owe, whether it be the tax man, a friend, a relative, a neighbour, a creditor.
Have you experienced the injury of not being remunerated for your work? Does someone owe you money, that you will never see in your hand, or in your bank account? How is that for you? Does it cause you some irritation and angst? Now think with me, about what you owe: Thou shalt render dues, tribute, custom. Is there someone you owe? Do right by them, and pay your dues; paying what we owe is a love principle; and our responsibility as future citizens of heaven.
Thou shalt render fear and honour to whom fear and honour are due: Obey the law of the land, and fear those that can judge and punish wrong doers. God has placed humans in positions of authority to maintain order, this includes work superiors and parents. The fear referred to must be reverential, respectful, and obediential.
What is your work and home life like? Is there order or chaos? Do underlings undermine the authority of their superiors? Do children obey parents? Are work and home environments sanctuaries, or places that you would prefer to avoid if possible? Something is amiss when a person does not want to go to work, or return home when their workday is done. NOTE: I do understand that many in authority misuse their positions of power. It behooves us to do our best to stay within the confines of our own positions, even as inferiors, while we trust in God as Judge and Sovereign over all. This is the point, dear reader, we are to behave in such a way as to honour the Righteous Judge. The people given positions of power must answer to him; we all, must answer to him. The love principle of honouring those that are in positions of authority, must be in place, as a sign of reverence, respect, and obedience to God Almighty.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Thou shalt not commit adultery, kill, steal, bear false witness, covet.
Love is faithful and loyal. Love nurtures. Love touches only what belongs, to love. Love is honest, and love, admires without wanting to take away from another.
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Dear reader, Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Do you see the stunning beauty in this gradual progression? All that we must do, and all that we are instructed to not do, when obeyed, render us loving, and dare I say, Christ like. There is no room for ill will for our neighbour, when we live God's love principals. Fulfilling the law of God, becomes us, when we commit to his commandments.
I leave you now with this breathtaking truth:
God's law is Love... because, dear one,
God is love
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