Romans 13:8

“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”

We tend to look at much of life as a series of transactions: if I give you something then I should get something in return…or, if you give me something, I owe you something back. Although this basic law is common, it should not be the case when it comes to loving one another well, especially in our own families.

Its not easy to love someone when they treat you poorly, but God’s Word tells us in 1 Peter 4:8 that “love covers over a multitude of sins.” Basically, this means that we should be QUICK to overlook when someone treats us poorly, PLUS…quick to forgive them, AND…slow to get angry and hold a grudge. This is the essence of who Jesus is and a requirement for those who seek to follow Him.

Loving the Lord and loving others really is at the heart of what Christianity is all about. You have not been saved just to follow the rules or check off the attendance box at church or even to go and do as many good things as you can. You have been saved in order that you may properly love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).

APPLICATION: Take some time to re-visit the Gospel with your family. Why did God need to send Jesus? Why did Jesus need to die? Why did Jesus choose to die for each one of us? What should His love for us do to our love for others and why?