Love as Debt

“Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8 NASB

None of us wants to be in debt, yet it is part of life. We have home loans, cars, monthly bills and even student debt. We know we must show responsibility and pay our debts. This scripture speaks of a spiritual debt. God is warning us to ‘watch our spending’ as it were. We are to ‘spend’ our lives wisely. When we put on Christ in baptism, we gave up our own will for His will, which is shown in the example of those who have gone before us. Philippians 3:17 advises, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”

What is this pattern? 1 John 4:19 “We love, because He first loved us.” This is the example: He gave his very life that we might have life, eternal.

I will leave you with these questions to consider. Can we follow this love? Are we able to give ourselves sacrificially to one another? Is love possible without promise or expectation of return? Can we be indebted in love to one another? Can we be the loving face of Christ to our brothers and sisters and to the world?

Consider the words to this song:

“He paid a debt He did not owe.

I owed a debt I could not pay.

I needed Someone to take my sins away.

I now can sing a brand new song,

‘Amazing Grace!’

Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.”

Words and music by Ellis J. Crum

Travel Opportunity

Have you ever been offered a free trip? Phrases like, "No cost to you," and, "All expenses paid," lure us in for a closer look. Many times we get caught up in the hype. We jump on board without a second thought! Most of the time it is not what it seems. A first-rate trip turns into a nightmare.

We should remember, however, that a guilt trip is one we are not obligated to take, even when we love the one who is offering it. It's not a matter of accepting or rejecting out of hand. I'm also not suggesting denial as a blanket defense. Many times these offers are made for reasons known only to the other person's heart. Only God can see them. My recommendation is that we not blindly accept the guilt without serious self-examination beforehand. Now I realize that sometimes we can put our blinders on and go about our lives with some serious guilt on our souls without ever accepting it. I'm not talking about that. There is a cure and we all must accept responsibility for our own words and actions. We need to review carefully, for we are not always guilty as charged.

We can not, should not, take responsibility for others actions, or lack of them. God knows our hearts better than anyone else. If we consider our thoughts and motives in light of His word and His truth and He does not condemn us, than we need not accept the condemnation of others. No matter how well-intentioned the charge, we can say, "Thank you, but not this trip."

Hearts that love the truth will find it, even on the rocky road of other's good intentions.

So, keep your head up, eyes on Jesus and step confidently forward. If we know our Guide and trust and keep His commands, the end of the road will be worth it all!

"Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;

and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight." 1 John 3:21-22