Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

he Law of Love (13:8-10)
Jesus made it clear that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets “but to fulfill them” (Matt. 5:17). Elsewhere He teaches that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matt. 22:37-39), concluding that “all the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matt. 22:40).
When we think about obeying the law, we often think in terms of how much we can get away with, without breaking the law. Dating couples want to know “how far is too far” in terms of physical intimacy, rather than thinking about how to actively love the other person and protect his or her purity. We indulge in murderous and covetous thoughts, rather than seeking to serve others sacrificially. We must cease trying to do the bare minimum and strive to love our neighbors as we have been loved.

Clothed with Christ (13:11-14)
There is urgency to Paul’s call to obedience because judgment is imminent. Although two thousand years have passed since this letter was written, judgment is still pending. Therefore, Christians cannot slumber or hide in darkness, assuming the Lord will tarry. We must live in the light, eagerly anticipating that Christ could return at any moment.
It is often hard to muster up willpower to resist temptations. Two strategies are proffered here. The first is to live in the light, remembering that we are seen by God. We tend to indulge in sins we see as private, but in reality, there is no hiding from God. The second advice is to “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 14), remembering our true identity and destiny in Christ. When we fixate on Christ and His beauty imparted to us, the fleshly desires lose their attraction.

- Make a list of the ways that you have experienced the love of God through various people. If possible, send a note of appreciation to someone who demonstrated Christ’s love to you.

- If you knew Christ would be returning next week, what habit(s) would you cease, and which would you start? Choose two habits and endeavor to live in light of Christ’s imminent return.