First, we need to establish what “the law” that Romans 13:10 refers to is. If we don’t understand why the Law applies to us, then the rest of the verse fails to bear any credence. We see that throughout the New Testament, the term “law” most often refers to what is commanded of the Israelites throughout the first five books of the Old Testament (or the Pentateuch). Second, it’s essential also to understand that Jesus did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). Many people think that because we believe in Him and are therefore saved, that the Law no longer applies. This thinking is known as “justification by faith,” and Paul speaks directly to this. In Romans 3:29-31, we see that just because we have faith, we are not to throw away the Law.
I have a question for you: If we believe in Christ and aren’t able to uphold the Law, are we still saved?
Absolutely we are (Ephesians 2:8). Paul teaches us that “justification by faith alone does not overthrow or do away with the Law, but it’s the exact opposite. It’s through our justification of faith that the Law is upheld in the eyes of God. It is through justification by faith alone that the Law’s true purpose is revealed, and that we are provided a way in fulfilling it.
So when we accept Christ (our justification), our hearts are sanctified (Acts 26:18) to keep the Law, and yes, we will do so imperfectly, but as Christians, we should see us aiming at the target. If you miss the process in which this occurs, then you miss everything. The sanctification of our hearts follows our justification (or accepting of Christ). So, it is through our belief and acceptance of Christ that we uphold the Law, and once we receive the Holy Spirit (the sanctification), only then can we be able to aim at the target in an attempt to do what the Law requires.
Simply put, it’s the justified who do what God commands, although we won’t ever do it perfectly, and we’ll never be able to do it in a way that merits our righteousness before the Lord (if you feel weird about that, that’s pride). It is only through our belief and faith in Jesus that we can be seen as righteous, and through our belief and faith in Jesus that our hearts are prepared to attempt to uphold the Law.
So, let’s look at this verse in a new light now, as we have a deeper understanding of the Law that Paul is referring to. As Christians, it is our desire to uphold the Law, and Paul is outright telling us how to do that. We should treat others with the same care that we have for ourselves (aka, the Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12), and we will not violate any of God’s laws regarding interpersonal relationships.
Take a look at James 2:8, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.” The phrase “royal law” can also be thought of as God’s “sovereign law.”
A law can be defined as something that binds our actions. For example, it’s against the Law to speed; it’s against the law to murder; it’s against the law to jaywalk; it’s against the law to not pay taxes. So when James says that in order to uphold the “sovereign law” you should “love your neighbor as...
