Romans 13:8 (ESV)
[8] Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who
loves another has fulfilled the law.
As western Christians we have a tendency to read a verse apart from its
context and then assume meaning that is not intended. I have heard this verse
quoted multiple times over the years to indicate that it is a sin to borrow money.
Certainly debt is a burden and a dangerous assumption about the future.
Proverbs warns that the borrower is slave to the lender (Prov. 22:7). But this
verse is not about money. It would perhaps be better translated, “Be obligated
to no one, except to love each other.” It follows Romans 13:1-7, which deals
with our relationship to government and governing authorities, and is followed
by Romans 13:9-10, which addresses what loving one another looks like. The only
reference to money in this entire context is a reference to paying taxes in
verse 7. Romans 13:7 instructs us to pay taxes that are owed, give respect that
is owed, and give honor that is owed. That is followed by the instruction to owe
no one anything but love.
Pay your taxes. Respect others. Honor those in authority. Those are heavy
words for a church in the capital city of the Roman Empire. Notice that he
doesn’t say, “Stand up to Nero!” Jesus was respectful of those in authority
even in his trial. The Apostles were respectful of those in authority as the
church started. Yes, there were times when Jesus turned over tables. Yes, the
Apostles disobeyed the authorities when they were told not to preach Jesus. But
they did so respectfully.
It bothers me when I see Christians on either side of the political aisle
calling political authorities demeaning names. It bothers me when I see Christians
more ready to take up guns than to take up their Bibles. It bothers me when I
see Christians defending the destruction of the innocent and preborn while
verbally attacking their brothers and sisters in Christ. This is not the Spirit
of Christ. Where is the love?
I once suggested that a church sign use the tag, “Speaking the Truth in Love,” A good friend was adamantly opposed to that. He responded, “Every time I hear that verse quoted, it is followed by criticism.” He was all to correct. We use words like love and truth to justify bad behavior and think that it somehow glorifies God. The truth is that when we resort to name calling, belittling, attacking, . . . when we use fear to justify our actions, we are no longer walking in the Spirit. We are no longer walking by faith. We are no longer trusting God. May we learn what it means to trully be obligated to no one except to love them because we have given them the honor and respect they deserve no matter who they are. May we never forget that the person we disagree with is created in the image of God just as much as we are, no matter how despicable they appear to us.
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