Thursday, March 5, 2009
Deep in Debt
(Romans 1:13-23)
The word “debt” typically carries negative connotations. In our current economic climate, debt is closely associated with disaster. We should think very hard before we commit ourselves to any additional financial indebtedness.
That being the case, it may surprise you to learn that Paul was in debt, deep debt. No, Paul was not overleveraged to his creditors. Paul was in a different kind of debt, a kind of debt held by every believer—regardless of his financial condition. Paul was in spiritual debt to the entire world, “I am debtor, both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (14). You see, Paul believed that he owed the world the Gospel message.
Note, too, that Paul felt indebted to people regardless of their social class. Paul did not discriminate with the Gospel on the basis of race, culture, color, education, etc. He viewed himself as owing everyone, regardless of the meanness of their station in life. Hence, he declared himself “ready” to preach the Gospel.
Paul’s debt was not insurmountable, one that could never be paid. Indeed, Paul had all the resources necessary to pay his “debt to society.” Paul had the saving Gospel of Christ. All he had to do was to make his payments by faithfully preaching Christ.
Here’s the issue: How well are we paying our debt to this lost world? Are we faithful in making Gospel payments by telling others about Christ? We owe it to them. Let’s pay our debts!
