Just recently we received our tax bill from the County. I don’t know why it should surprise me because it comes every year, but sometimes it catches me off guard. Two days ago, I went online and paid it. That action was fresh in my thinking when I read these verses this morning.
There is one indebtedness we should deal with on a daily basis.
“Give everyone what you owe them. If you owe them any kind of tax, then pay it. Show respect to those you should respect. And show honor to those you should honor.
8 You should owe nothing to anyone, except that you will always owe love to each other. The person who loves others has done all that the law commands. 9 The law says, ‘You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.’ All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.‘ 10 Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. 11 I say this because you know that we live in an important time. Yes, it is now time for you to wake up from your sleep. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:7-11 ERV
The Apostle Paul wrote these words from Rome while he was a prisoner, unjustly accused. If anyone had the right to be bitter, resentful and vindictive he did. Instead, he used his time encouraging, instructing and giving hope to those around him.
Paul learned this from Jesus.
He knew how the religious elite tried to trip Jesus up by asking which of God’s commands was the greatest.
“He said, ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’ 37 Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40 ERV
And then there were these words of Jesus spoken from the cross.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34 ERV
On the cross Jesus showed the ultimate expression of love. We owed a debt for our sin, but we were unable to pay it because none of us are perfect. But Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, paid the debt for us. He showed His love for the Father and for us, His neighbor, for all the world to see.
Paul never lost sight of that sacrifice, and he wanted everyone who read his words to remember that we also have a debt of love.
“I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 ERV
It’s not a debt that we can pay with our checkbooks or credit cards. It is more costly than that. We pay the debt of love with our obedience and our daily living.