Jesus’ audience, familiar with the Shema, would have known the call to love God with all their heart, soul, and might. But Jesus expanded this understanding, teaching that our love for God must be reflected in how we treat others, calling us to embody God’s kingdom through compassion and forgiveness.

True evidence of our relationship with God is not just in our words, but in our actions, specifically our ability to love all people—even those with whom we disagree politically—reflecting the love of Christ.

Paul's directive in Romans 13:8 is not a shift to financial advice but a continuation of his focus on love as the fulfillment of God's commandments, emphasizing that we are always in debt to love others.