Sunday, June 23, 2013

Debt of Love


“Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes, if revenue, then revenue, if respect, then respect, if honor, then honor.” (Romans 13:7)

Wouldn’t it be splendid if we could all live debt free?  It’s been said that the average household splits its debt among seven to ten credit cards and loans. It’s natural for many of us to convince ourselves that we have worked hard, and our rate of spending is normal; we deserve more and we can’t live without more! But for most of us, the burden of owing weighs heavy on us; it can put stress in our relationships, our attitudes, our jobs, and even our health. As believers, we should be as free from the burden of debt as possible; we are encouraged to live respectfully and worthily, fulfilling all laws, obligations and requirements. The journey of debt-free living is all about being a good steward of money, and involves commitment, determination, and self-control. There is however, one debt that we are obligated to…

…The only debt we should have is to love one another…

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)


A person who is motivated by love will fulfill the law, because love is bigger, broader, larger, deeper, and richer than the law! We can fulfill the commands of the bible better by falling in love with God; when we love Him, our obedience to Him will flow out of that relationship. One debt we can never finish paying is the debt of love that we owe; it is the debt that cost God the life of His only begotten Son. Because we have been loved with an infinite love, we will never be able to repay or complete our obligation to love. In the same way, we are indebted to extend love, grace and mercy to each other. The only real value in anything at all is love! We can follow all the rules and the laws, but they can’t be done without love.

“Whatever commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:9-10)

“Love your neighbor as yourself”… who is our neighbor and how do we love them? Our neighbor is more than just the guy next door; they are people in our communities, people we pass on the streets and in the hallways, they are even our enemies. When we love God with all our heart, we realize that everyone is part of His creation and we are indebted to love them. This love equips and enables us to love our neighbors in a genuine and sincere way, even those we are tempted not to love. When we have Christ’s life in us, we have the power to love even those who are hard to love. Whatever the situation demands it is a debt we owe to every person, every day. Every day holds an opportunity for us to pay this debt of love to someone who needs it, and those who are fortunate enough to owe this never ending debt will find it to be their greatest liability and dearest treasure!

“Love is as hard as nails. Love is nails…driven through hands and feet.” C.W. Lewis



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17 comments:

  1. That's a great C.W. Lewis quote. Thanks for sharing.

    Jaime at Awakenings and Reflections

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  2. Amen! Love of God, is the answer to everything in life. And, I love the C.S. Lewis quote. Blessings and happy Sunday!

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    1. Blessings to you too Cynthia; have a week rich in His love! :)

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  3. So true Denise. I am hearing more and more about the only debt we owe is to love. Hmmmmm........

    Hugs my friend.

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    1. So much easier to love when we feel His love and grace spread through us! :) Hugs to you too sweet friend! :)

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  4. Each day gives us as opportunity to pay a debt of love to others. I like that thought.

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    1. It's really not hard to be in debt for the simple act of love; our Father loves us so generously! :) Blessings Peggy!

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  5. Love has been a recurrent theme for me these days. I've been finding myself rereading I Corinthians 13.

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    1. 1 Corinthians 13; is and always has been my favorite chapter in the Bible since I was a little girl Wanda! It is very special to me! :)

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  6. Thanks Denise, this is wonderful. I love it. "Every day holds an opportunity for us to pay this debt of love to someone who needs it!" So beautifully said.

    Blessings!

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    1. Yay; I agree Jedidja; thanks my friend and blessings to you too!

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  7. Hey Denise! I love your posts and your selection of graphics! Thanks for sharing about love mann! And yes fully agreed that it's easier to love with the love of Jesus in us! :D -hugs-

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    1. Aw; thanks friend! It is always such a joy (just like your name!) to hear from you...hugs back!

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  8. Dear Denise
    Yes, love is truly always the answer! But then, not our love, but the love of God as we allow our Lord Jesus to live His life in and through us. I don't think we are able, for example, to love our enemies the way our Pappa wants us too. Only He can.
    Much love XX
    Mia

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    1. So true Mia; if only we could love as completely and sincerely as Him! Love to you too sweet friend!

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  9. I loved the comparison you made between financial dept and the debt of love we owe God and others. Thanks so much for sharing this over at WholeHearted Home this week.

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