Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
(Romans 13:8 NKJV)

Because God has loved us, we owe love to every person we meet. We owe them kindness and gentleness. We owe it to them to treat them with dignity and respect, as valuable to God and to His plan in the earth.

Sadly enough, we don’t always do that. At times, people act like the Christians mentioned in James 2, and give better treatment to people who wear fine clothes and expensive jewelry, than they give to those who don’t have much wealth or social stature. They violate the law of love and fail to give others what they are owed. As a result, they are often robbed of THE BLESSING and favor of God.

One might pray diligently for God to help in a situation, standing on The WORD and confessing we walk in the favor of God. But selfish actions and unloving ways will thwart the answer to our own prayers. We’ll reverse that favor before we receive it.

I have a friend who told me about a time he and his wife were stranded in an airport with a multitude of other people. While they were waiting in line to be booked for another flight, they prayed and agreed for God’s help and favor. From the looks of the man behind the ticket counter, they knew they’d need it. His eyes were bloodshot. His hair was sticking out in every direction. He was irritable and tired.

When the lady standing in front of them was rude to him, he just shrugged his shoulders and said all the flights were booked. He didn’t do anything to help.

When my friend and his wife got to the counter however, they were kind. They didn’t put any pressure on the man. On the contrary, they tried to minister peace to him, treating him with consideration and respect. “We realize you’re very busy,” they said. “We can see this is a madhouse and you have a lot of problems on your hands…but this is our situation. Can you do anything for us?”

Amazingly enough, the ticket agent stepped around the counter and said, “Follow me.” He took my friends to another area, booked them first-class seats and shook their hands. He even acknowledged that he could have helped the lady ahead of them. But because of how she acted, he didn’t do it.

That’s a good example of what can happen when you pay the debt of love you owe. It can open the way for God to get you where you’re going. When others find themselves stranded by strife, your faith working by love will not only keep you flying…it will secure you a first-class seat!

Love Assignment: Make it a point today to treat every person you come in contact with, with love. From complete strangers to your closest family members, step up to the level of love the Lord would give. You can do it!