Free From Debt

Free From Debt

We are not indebted to the flesh, whether it is our own or the flesh of others. Everyone must have an uncompromising attitude against the demands of the flesh regardless from whom they come. This is the true liberty in Christ, namely, that we are not indebted to the flesh. Yielding to the flesh is to support its unjust demands. If someone to whom I am not indebted, demands 10 kroner from me, and I pay him 2 kroner against this false invoice, I thereby abet this crime and take part in an unjust act. If I reject his demands, I am free. If someone yields to the demands of the flesh he is, on the other hand, subject to the righteous demands of the law, for the law is there for the transgressors. The demands of the flesh are insatiable and manifold; its lusts have no end. Say “No!” if the flesh appeals to your thoughts so that they with pleasure may follow its thousand different ways; say “No!” again if it appeals to your will in order to get you to act according to its lusts; say “No” again if it appeals to your members so that they might serve its purpose. You are not indebted to the flesh. You are not even obligated to answer its demands. Taking a firm stand against other people’s flesh is just as necessary as taking a stand against your own flesh.

You Are Perfectly Free From Debt Everywhere

You consider yourself dead to foolish jesting. Unfortunately, jesting is so common among God’s children that people even joke using biblical expressions. When you meet a brother or sister who begins with such foolishness, you should know that you are not in the least indebted to them. You may notice that jesters always seek their own honor. They say something funny, look at you in order to get your approval by way of your laughter and your expression—just as they themselves do. They demand that you admire their foolishness. As a rule, they get what they seek. Even though we are not indebted to their flesh, many believers act as admirers of such behavior and pay the required price. The person who laughs at other people’s folly enjoys it; you cannot honor a fool more highly than by enjoying his nonsense. Honoring foolishness is just as unreasonable as dishonoring righteousness. When faced with foolishness, you can be ice-cold. You are not required to smile at a fool as payment for his jesting.

Because you are crucified to that kind of thing, you will have the effect of a cross on a person who still loves these things. They will speak about you as being ice-cold; you must even be as cold as death when confronted by the demands of the flesh. They say that you are impolite and unloving; yes, you owe neither love nor politeness to the flesh even though it comes in its most charming forms. Experience shows that it is harder to say “No” to Satan when he comes, deceptively beautiful than when he comes as a roaring lion. People will admonish you, saying that it is not wrong to be happy and that we have to view life on the bright side; otherwise you will end up being an eccentric. You shall say that it is wrong to enjoy the flesh, even the flesh of others, for the desire of the flesh is death; neither do we have to look up to the flesh. Your joy and your delight shall be in the Lord; you shall live in His Spirit, and the desire of this Spirit is life and peace. People will begin to backbite you and say that you are impolite and that you have a terrible spirit. You will suffer for the sake of righteousness by going this way. This is the way of the cross in truth. Here applies Jesus’ word about denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Him.

What glorious liberty there is in Christ Jesus. Free from debt to all flesh! There is great rejoicing within this liberty. There is rejoicing in the tabernacles of the righteous, but complaining and sighing for those who give in to the flesh. People shout for liberty, but many of those who shout for liberty are themselves slaves to the flesh in many areas. However, let us practice this glorious liberty. The price for this liberty is struggle and sufferings, for people do not tolerate this kind of liberty. Nevertheless, do not be dissuaded; begin now. You will receive sufficient strength with each step of obedience that you take.

When you are thus freed from all men, you can become the servant of all men, so that their spirit can walk on the inner ways in Christ Jesus.