Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8.
How often we check the balance in our bank accounts. We live in age of consumer debts. We are accustomed to the convenience of credit, debit cards, Venmo and Apple Pay. It can be a great burden to carry a continuing debt.
The way St. Paul describes the Christian Life (Romans 13:8), we carry a continuing debt of love for one another. God calls us to serve our neighbor, our friends and family, even our enemies with… LOVE.
The Law demands complete perfection, and when we look honestly into that mirror, with our own failures and self-centeredness, we often quickly despair with hearts of guilt. We owe our neighbors a debt of love that we, in our sinful flesh, are utterly bankrupt to pay on our own. But where our strength completely fails, the Gospel breaks through with absolute certainty.
Here is what one hymn writer says, “When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within, upward I look and see him there who made an end of all my sin” (LSB 574). Jesus Christ did not come merely to give us a better example to follow; He came to actively fulfill the Law perfectly in our place. On the cross, He paid our debts in full with His holy, precious blood and His innocent suffering and death.
Because you are justified by grace alone through faith, you are now counted free and fully reconciled to God. The Holy Spirit works through the Word and Sacraments to anchor you in this unshakeable promise. Safe in Christ’s righteousness, you are freed from trying to earn God’s favor. How marvelous is the Savior’s Gospel for you!
Then God sends you right back out into your daily vocation to love and serve the neighbors He places right in front of you. Because of Christ love for you, you richly give to them your debt of Love. That’s the new balance and new creation Christ gives, and that sets you free to… LOVE
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, when my own sin and the brokenness of this world cause me to despair, turn my eyes away from my fears and fix them entirely on You. Forgive me for the times I have failed to love my neighbor, and comfort me with the objective truth of Your cross and empty tomb. Strengthen me by Your Word so that I may joyfully serve those around me in the vocations You have given me. Amen.
