Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. (Rom. 13:8)
IT IS HARD TO BE DEBT FREE, isn’t it? We live in a culture of indebtedness. Even our government has been deficit spending for decades. But as we strive to climb out of the credit hole, let us remember there is a debt we can never repay—the debt of our sins that Christ has paid for us through His eternal love and sacrifice.
Because Christ loves us, we Christians are indebted to Him. His love never runs out. It is ongoing, no matter what, and nothing can separate us from that love (Rom. 8:38–39).
We are called to love others as Jesus loves us. But that is not always easy, is it? How do we love the unlovable? There is only one way—the way Christ first loved us. When we can separate the person from the sin, we have fulfilled what Christ commands—love God, love each other (Matt. 22:37–39). Sure, there are consequences for the wrongs done to our fellow human beings and that price must be paid. But the forgiveness and healing that come through holy love to each other is priceless. Being loved by Christ is a debt we can never repay. All we can do is pay it forward by loving others who are just as unlovable as we once were.
We may never be debt free this side of heaven, but we can live free, and freely love.
Julie B. Cosgrove is a widowed Christian author and speaker who lives in Fort Worth, Texas. She is involved with women’s and outreach ministries.
