A Debt Paid, a Debt Owed

“ So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:12-13 ESV)

We are debtors. We owe, but what do we owe? Many have monetary debt in this world that burdens everyone. People acquire debt to feed themselves because they cannot afford food any other way. Others have debt due to coveting. “I want” can be two of the most despicable words in the English language. Paul, however, is not writing about worldly debt.

Going back to verses 9-11, Paul is telling us that we in Christ are no longer flesh but spirit. The Spirit of God lives in us. Anyone with who the Spirit does not dwell does not know Jesus. If we are in Christ, or Christ is in us, then like Christ, we will not die but be resurrected and raised from the dead.

We are debtors to Christ, who left heaven and came to earth in the form of sinful flesh. Although He was not of sin, He carried our sins on His shoulders and paid for them with the lash and on the cross, spilling holy blood so that His blood would wash us clean from sin. How? Through faith in Christ as our Savior and by His grace.

These verses from Romans 8:9-11 remind us. that we, as followers of Christ, are no longer bound by our earthly desires and limitations. Instead, we are filled with the Spirit of God, which empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to Him

We are indebted to Christ and owe Him our very lives. We owe Him our lives because we have been freed from sin and are children of God, and as Paul wrote in the following verse 17, "if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs of Christ." We are heirs to the kingdom. We now have access just as Christ to heaven. Have you given your life to Christ? Are you in His service?

The debt of the world is a distraction. It pulls us away from Christ and places a burden on us that is hard to carry. Eradicate your worldly debt as Christ eradicated sin, but more importantly, work hard and focus on the kingdom. Pray for strength and work towards having only one debt, a spiritual debt to the Lord. This debt is not to be taken lightly, for it is the most significant commitment we can make. Financial freedom takes work, self-control, and a strategy. Spiritual freedom comes at one price; no works are needed; it comes from faith.

Place your faith in Christ, and by His grace, repent your sins. Walk in the shadow of the Lord, following his footsteps, carrying your cross, and you will have freedom far greater than financial freedom; you will have spiritual freedom, free from sin and death as a child of God.   

Grace and Peace!