Legal Tender and Loving Care

This grand letter to the Romans spans the extremes—from the theological heavens
(Romans 1–11) to the earthly practicalities (Romans 12 –16). In the last five chapters,
we find some of the most helpful teaching in the Bible on how to model a way of life
that is genuinely Christian. We are helped, for example, in knowing how to have a
healthy, realistic view of ourselves (12:1–3), how best to serve others (12:4–8), how
to exemplify Christlikeness (12:9 –13), how to deal with our enemies (12:14 –21), and
how to be good citizens (13:1–7). We continue along these practical lines by learning
how to handle debt (13:8) as well as how to truly love our neighbor (13:9 –10).