Debt

Debt

“Owe no one anything except to love one another . . . .” Rom. 13:8. There are two kinds of debt. One kind is financial debt and similar debts. The other kind is the debt of love in all its shapes and forms.

Concerning the first kind it is written, “The wicked borrows and does not repay.” Ps. 37:21.

He also buys and does not pay, and he does not keep his promises. When he does not pay on time, he gives no explanation and is not sorry and acts as if there is nothing wrong.

Monetary debt should and can be paid off completely, and it is the great joy and desire of a righteous person to do this. If he has borrowed (which seldom happens) it is his sorrow, while to pay off his debt is his great joy, and God will see to it that he can pay it back successfully. It is a joy for the unrighteous that he was able to borrow, and it is sad and painful for him to have to pay it back. That is why he takes so long to do it.

The debt of love is of a different nature. “He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought [are indebted] to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11.

“To the fear of God brother love, and to brotherly love, love toward all men.” 2 Pet. 1:7.1

“I am a debtor [I owe love] both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.” Rom. 1:14.

God reckons like this, and so do the apostles, that because He first loved us so much that He sacrificed everything for us, we are in debt to all people, both to the evil and to the good, as long as we live. He who does not pay off his debt as quickly and as fully as he can, is not righteous. In this context it means that he lacks the love of Christ in his heart, and he must see to it that he is filled with it as soon as possible.

According to the nature of the matter, our debt of love can never be fully repaid, but we can always pay off part of it to everyone. A monetary debt, on the other hand, can always be repaid completely to the person concerned.

Accordingly, we owe a debt of love to all possible kinds of barbarians and fools, to all kinds of wicked and unthankful and unsavory characters. Without contradiction: If we are righteous (if we love), it is our great desire to pay what we owe. Then we must of necessity be radiantly glad every time we meet a person, evil or good, because then we have an opportunity to repay some of our debt, and this brings joy to our innermost being. I consider it as my good fortune every time I encounter an unpleasant person.

How is it with you concerning this matter, my dear brother? You surely don’t forget that you owe something to everyone? They certainly aren’t aware of it themselves, but you ought to be aware of it. Therefore I give you this little reminder which I owe you in truth.

Blessed are all those who like to repay what they owe to each and every one!