2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Thursday, September 3
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 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.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
“… 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. …”
I get so frustrated with those who believe that posting the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is the answer to society’s problems. If they want to post something that actually changes hearts and minds, perhaps simply saying “Love your neighbor as yourself, because love does no wrong to a neighbor.” It is love, not commandments, that changes society.
Because love is universal, it doesn’t just harken back to Judeo-Christian roots. It is a basic tenet of every major religion. To love one another is the foundation behind the Ten Commandments and nearly every modern and ancient code of conduct. Because love does no wrong to a neighbor, to love others is to fulfill the law. What else is needed?
What is needed is for all of us to live out in our daily lives the law of love. It is to put love of neighbor into action both through our words and in our deeds. If answering society’s problems is the goal, then following the ways of love in altered attitudes toward others – particular those different than oneself – is a key. So too is changing the way one speaks about another – especially those on the other side of the fence. Conforming our actions with our loving intent also applies.
Paul states very clearly what our goal should be: Loving our neighbor as ourselves. Perhaps, rather than posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms, those words should instead be written on all our hearts and minds and souls.
Prayer: God of Love, you command us to love one another as You love us. Teach me the ways of love. Inspire my actions that they may reflect love of neighbor in all I think, do, and say. Amen.