Romans 13:8-10

Making Room for Your Neighbour

Jesus didn’t narrow the definition of ‘neighbour,’ but expanded it to include everyone imaginable. Just as the Samaritan loved the man he found in a ditch on the side of the road simply because the man was in his path and had a need, we are called to love anyone and everyone on our path.

It sounds hard. We can find ourselves commiserating with the expert of the law. It can be overwhelming to think about all the people I am commanded to love. In those moments, I have to remember that in my lifetime I am likely to be the man in the ditch a time or two, beaten by this world. I’ll want to be considered someone else’s neighbour when that happens. I also have to remember what is truly overwhelming; the love of Jesus, the Son of God, who willingly died for me and made not merely His neighbour, but His family.

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.”

Romans 13:8-10