Romans 13:8-10 "You Are In Debt"
What is the deeper message God is teaching us concerning the nature of debts? ________________________________
What are the principles by which we must judge our obligations?
Our text shows us several principles by which we can judge the true things on which we must keep tabs.
Pay Your Bills (8 a)
An important principle of Christian stewardship: “Pay your bills! Pay what you owe!”
The command is clear: We are not to be in debt. What does that mean? How is that possible?
What is in view is not a prohibition against incurring reasonable debt, but a warning against living beyond our means.
There is nothing in Scripture that prohibits lending or borrowing money.
God expects us to be good stewards of the possessions He has placed in our hands.
We owe God our best.
Love Your Neighbor (8a, b, c)
There is one debt that we cannot fully pay. The debt of love.
Love is a continuing debt which will never be fully paid. It is a debt we owe all.
Paul exhorts us to love one another:
a’llelous – another of the same kind.
Love our neighbor:
H’eteros – another of a different kind.
Love is a commitment of the will to:
- Be kind to one another.
- Respect one another.
- Help one another.
- Do good to one another.
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus
Obey Your God (9-10)
Christians are called to be obedient to God.
The commandments of God have their origin in love.
- Love for God.
- Love for neighbor.
When we love, we are simply obeying our God.
Only as we seek to obey our God do we find the power to live the Christian life.
Do you want to live in harmony with God?
