“Love does not harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed” (Romans 13:10-11, HNV).
The apostle is writing to people that have already received Jesus as their Lord—they are born-again. He informs them that love meets the requirements of the law. The law being referred to is the first part of the Mosaic Law, which is the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20:1-17).[1] The Mosaic Law was specific to the nation of Israel so that they could worship Yahweh (Ex. 20-40; Lev. 1-7, 23), but the Ten Commandments is also a definite for the new creation to comply with. I am not meaning that the body of Christ is commanded to keep the Sabbath day (Ex. 20:8-11),[2] for that was an instruction particular for Israel (Ex. 16:23, 29), but the believer must follow the royal law contained within the Ten Commandments, which is, they must love their neighbor as they do themselves (Rom. 13:8-9; Jam. 2:8). Jesus said that if anyone wants to enter eternal life, they must follow the royal law (Matt. 19:16-19; Mk. 10:17-19; Lk. 18:18-20). It is important for the body of Christ to live a life of love. If a believer says he loves God but has bitterness or contempt for another Christian than the Scripture makes the point that they are a liar; because it is impossible for a believer to love God, whom he has not seen, if he loathes a believer whom he sees (1 Jn. 4:20).
Paul warns the believer to walk in love because of the time. What time is he referring to? He is referring to the day and hour of the rapture of the church. But how do I know this? I know it because of his allusion to the salvation of the Christian’s flesh—the salvation of the believer’s physical body. This is eternal salvation (Rom. 8:23; 2 Cor. 5:2-4; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 5:9; 9:28). The apostle is referring to eternal salvation in this passage. His readers in Rome, had already received the salvation of their spirit when they first believed (Acts 28:28; Rom. 11:11). The redemption of the Christian’s body of flesh will occur the hour the rapture takes place (1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:16-17). Every day brings it closer, that is why Paul writes for the believer to wake up and live a life of love. He says, the night is nearing its completion (Rom. 13:12a). This is metaphorically speaking of the time of darkness the church must endure while in the world. He adds, that the day is close (Rom. 13:12b), referring to the salvation of the believer’s body of flesh. “Therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:12c, KJV). “Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy” (Rom. 13:13, HNV). “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Rom. 13:14, ESV).
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[1] There was three parts to the Mosaic Law that Israel
was to follow:
1) The Ten Commandments
2) The Ordinances 3) The system of worship
What is the purpose of
the Mosaic Law?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Mosaic-Law.html
(Accessed 9/26/2022)
[2] Does God require Sabbath-keeping of Christians?
https://www.gotquestions.org/Sabbath-keeping.html
(Accessed 9/26/2022)
