Fulfill

Last week, Paul wrapped up his discussion of “justification” ... what God has done for us to make us right in His sight. Now, he is offering suggestions for how we should live as Jesus followers in response to what God has done for us.


Romans 11
1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.
5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
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.
9 For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These - and other such commandments - are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.


Fulfill. When I was in high school, students would use Cliff’s Notes to avoid reading books in our Lit classes (not me of course). It turns out that the idea didn’t originate with Cliff. In verse 8, Paul offers his own version of “Cliff’s Notes” for God’s law.1 I’m not suggesting you avoid reading Leviticus and Deuteronomy (or that Paul was either); but I do appreciate the summary. The thing that stands out to me is how passionate God is about the way we treat each other. If you were taking a test on “fulfilling” God’s law, what grade would you earn?


1 Actually, Jesus came up with the concept first (check out Matthew 22:36-40). Paul was just the first one to publish it.