July 31
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OWE NOTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE EACH OTHER
A poem by ILMA
Everyone must submit to authorities for all authority comes from God
Those in positions of authority have been placed there by the Lord
Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against his creator
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?
Then do what is right, and they will honor you.
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good
But if you are doing wrong, they have the power to punish you.
They are God’s servants, so you must submit to them
Don’t do it only to avoid punishment, but keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons, they ought to be paid as well
They are serving God in what they do and give to everyone what you owe them.
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
Love your neighbor as yourself for love does no wrong to others
There is nothing impossible with love; love conquers all.
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MEMORY VERSE
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. – Romans 13:8
Read: Romans 13
The Lord doesn’t want us to owe anything from anyone. He commands us to submit to authorities and be responsible citizens. He placed all those in positions of authority to represent him, so he wants us to submit to them as to the Lord. He reminds us that the only debt we need to have is to love one another.
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REFLECTION
• Do you have trouble submitting to authorities?
• Why is it important to love one another?