Love and Rules
Romans 13:9–10
Ever wondered how love and rules fit together? Let’s break it down. In a nutshell, the apostle Paul talked about this. He said, “Love your neighbor like you love yourself.”
“For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law,” (Romans 13:9–10).
That’s the golden rule, according to Paul. But it’s not just about being nice; it’s about doing what’s right. He even mentioned a bunch of rules: no cheating, no killing, no stealing, no wanting what others have. And guess what? He says these rules are all about loving your neighbor.
Paul wasn’t saying, “Follow rules, forget love.” Nope. He was saying they go together like a married couple.
Think about it — why wouldn’t you cheat with someone else’s partner? Beause that hurts people. Same with stealing or lying about someone. It all comes down to treating others right because you care about them. These rules aren’t about making life boring; they’re about making life better for everyone.
You might have heard, “We’re saved by grace, not rules.” True! But here’s the twist: even though rules didn’t save us, they still matter. Why? Because we love the One who saved us.
Before we had no desire to keep the law because we were unconverted and dead. But, now we are united to God. Not only the God who saved us, but also the God who gave us the law. Keeping it is our desire for our affection towards Him.
Some folks say, “Love means I don’t need rules.” But Paul disagreed. See, love isn’t an excuse to ignore what’s right. It’s the reason we stick to those rules. Imagine a world where nobody killed or stole — pretty awesome, right? That’s what these rules aim for: a safer, happier world for everyone.
So, the deal is this: Love is what gets us to follow these rules. It’s like our compass, and the rules? They’re the path. We need both to hit the mark — loving others and doing what’s right. It’s simple: love your neighbor, follow the rules, make the world a better place.
Paul says it best in Ephesians 6, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” Right is right.
For a devotion on Romans 13:11–14 click here.
Pastor Rich is a dedicated minister and experienced business owner. I received my Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Spurgeon College. With over eight years of experience in the ministry, I currently serve as the Outreach and Evangelism Pastor at First Baptist Church Springfield, MO.
Image by DEEPAI
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