A Debtor

      Most of the time when we think about being in debt, we have negative thoughts.   However, there is a sense in which being in debt is positive.  Christians are obligated to pay some debts because we belong to the family of God.  Therefore, instead of being a burden, they become a blessing.

1. Our debt to a lost world.

Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also for the Greek.” The bad news is that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  The good news is that God has provided salvation for a sinful world.  Those of us have obeyed the gospel are in debt to tell others the good news of salvation.

1. Our debt to the government.

Rom. 13:1 “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Someone may say “But I cannot respect the person in office.” That may be true, but we must respect the office. The purpose of government is to protect and reward the good and to punish the evil. We Christians have a debt to government because this authority was given by God.

1. Our debt to our neighbor.

Rom. 13:8 “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” This love is not something we turn on and off like a television set.  Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us. When we truly love, we will never do our neighbor harm.  It is a debt we must constantly pay.
 
 
          ~~~Greely Kirkpatrick~~~