Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭John‬ ‭13:12-17‬
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

I work in sales for an insurance brokerage. We deal with large ticket, intangible products — insurance policies for mid-sized companies. You can’t touch them or test them out, you just have to trust that they will respond as designed when a catastrophe strikes. Over the years, I have heard of many different strategies and ideas about how to win business in the insurance marketplace. Some focus on marketing campaigns, mailers, billboards, fun events, mirroring the posture and speech patterns of others, etc. All of these can add to one’s effectiveness. But hands down there are core pieces to selling that just work, and the extras cannot replace them. A) Become an expert in your field, B) build trust and follow through on your commitments and promises, C) solve problems, and D) find out what most matters to them.

I think Paul is trying to get the Roman Christians to set aside the extras we add to the gospel, and focus our lives on the simple truths of following Jesus: 1) We were rescued from an unpayable debt of sin. 2) Out of God’s heart of extreme love for us, he sent Jesus, his only Son, to die in our place. He did this because, as a consequence of breaking the law (sinning) we deserve death. If we accept his gift, and make Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, he applies grace, as Jesus’ sacrifice covers over our sin. 3) We, who are followers of Jesus, are called to: a) live in this love, b) let this love transform our hearts by the Holy Spirit, and c) to shine this love all around — into the many places our lives take us. And we are called to intentionally go to places that are dark to spread this light!

So, Jesus demonstrated his heart of love in serving his disciples by washing their dirty and smelly feet. And he set a new standard: BE A SERVANT OF ALL. Another way to say this is: BE A LOVER OF ALL!

Has the Christian life gotten too complicated for you? Do you feel worn out or tired in trying to measure up to the expectations others place on you? It has for me at times. And so, we can simplify our mission: Be a servant of God’s love. Serve it up all the time, as much as possible. And when it seems impossible, draw closer to God for strength and serve up some extra love!
Lord, thank you for your call to servant leadership in love. You have destined us for greatness in you. Help me to embrace your ways. May I look to actively bless and love others today.