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• LESSON 21 (September 7) • Romans 13:8-14 Put on the Lord Jesus Christ We emphasized in the last lesson that few things are more fundamental to the Christian life than genuine respect for authority. As disciples of Christ, we know the ultimate Authority. Paul emphasizes in Romans 13:8-14 that this knowledge must shape our relationships with each other and our Lord. The way we “walk” through life will either positively or negatively impact those relationships, and our “walk” will be determined by the affections of our hearts. Whom do we love? Whose desires will we gratify?Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:8-10)“The commandments” Paul is referencing stem from Exodus 20, that section of the Old Testament frequently referenced as “the Ten Commandments.” Here’s a quick recap of Exodus 20:1-17: You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image or likeness of anything that you bow down to or serve. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.WIn Romans 13:7 emphasized that we must pay what we owe, whether that debt be in the form of taxes, revenue, respect, or honor. What, then, does he mean in Romans 13:8 by writing, “Owe no one anything”?If we owe anything to each other, it is love (Rom 13:8). The question is, why? You shall not bear false witness. You shall not covet.