“Therefore, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh” (Romans 8:12).
Back in the old days they had a ‘Debtors Prison’. If you couldn’t pay your debts, they locked you up in prison. For good. The modern idea of bankruptcy comes from the Old Testament idea of the Year of Jubilee. Every 49th year (7×7) all land sold to settle debts reverted back to the original family. God is the God of the second chance.
Since we were dead in our sins, and Jesus paid our debt for us, we are now in debt to Him. We owe Him something. Salvation wasn’t really free.
We are not in debt to the flesh, to live in bondage to our sensual appetites, but we are in Debtor’s Prison. I will be eternally in debt to Jesus Christ. I must live my life bankrupt to the world and in servitude to Jesus.
There can be no escape from this prison. It is the way to eternal life and spiritual freedom. And why should I want to escape? He’s the best Owner any slave could have. He loves us.
Tags: debt, freedom
Back in the early 1990s our church was packed in two worship services, landlocked with no parking, and making plans to build. We had obtained the present site but had exhausted our building fund to do so. We needed to progress with building plans but did not have enough money. To progress meant that we had to go into considerable debt with the local bank. Some were ready to trust God, others thought we should not begin until we had the money raised. They had an ongoing debt with their personal home, but thought it was scriptural for the church to do so (double standard). We had a dilemma.
So I did my best at envisioning the church to trust God. When we took the official approval vote, it was 146-3 in favor. The three were all older retired members who had earlier sacrificed deeply to pay for the previous building. They didn’t want to get stuck paying for this new one. Those three each made a significant faith pledge on the new project, however.
It amazed everyone what happened immediately when we finished the construction. Attendance doubled almost immediately. Our offerings increased with the attendance and we had the debt retired in just a couple of years. We learned that when God’s people take a leap of faith, God is there to catch us. And I don’t think God has changed. Trust Him in your crisis and take that leap of faith.
Tags: debt, faith, trust
The newspaper reported that a Utah businessman had filed for bankruptcy and declared his debts to be $613,000,000,000. What’s more, the man claimed assets of only $7,310. If all debts were honored, his creditors would receive about one-millionth of a cent on the dollar. There was no way he could begin to pay his debts.
That reminds me of my situation before I came to Christ. I had violated the Lord’s desires for me so many times that the mountain of offenses was overwhelming. But when I came to Christ all that was washed away. My debt was forgiven. Today I stand before Him with a clean slate. Thank God for forgiing my debt.
Tags: debt, forgiveness, sin
When I speak with someone who is having, or has just had a major surgery, I often ask if they have insurance to pay for the procedure. I know that if a person has to worry about thousands of dollars in medical bills, that it can be an extra burden. Perhaps you’re wondering about that in my case.
This past February the Board of Directors at the church decided to switch from our traditional 80/20 health insurance plan to an HSA (Health Savings Account). We were apprehensive, at first, not really understanding what this new insurance concept was about. But it has saved the church a lot of money, and has turned out to be a blessing to everyone. One requirement of an HSA is there must be a high deductible. Because of health issues with both Anita and I this year, we have already completely paid our combined $4,000 deductible. That means that this entire procedure will be paid 100% by the insurance company. Hallelujah!
Nothing is really free, though. Someone has to pay that bill. Its kind of like salvation for a sinner. Grace is free, but Someone had to pay the debt. I guess that’s what makes me stay in love with Jesus. I know He paid my debt in full.
Tags: debt, grace, paid