Christian Living

Never Paid In Full

by Bobbi Richardson
06/21/21
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At some point in our lives everyone has debts. We have mortgage payments, car payments, insurance payments, credit card payments. Month after month we faithfully pay our bills anxiously anticipating the day when we will be free from debt.

It is satifying to make that final payment. It's a relief to see that bill marked "Paid in Full".

God tells us to pay what we owe.

"Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (Romans 13:7 NIV)

But there is a debt we are told to never consider paid in full.

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8 NIV)

The only debt that will never be marked as paid in full is the "continuing debt" to the people we encounter each day. We owe every person kindness, respect and honor because each one was created by God and is loved by Him eternally, unconditionally as we are.

When asked what is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied with a quote from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 NIV)

We owe our Father God a debt of reverent respect, honor, praise, worship and thanks for who He is.

Loving God includes doing what He says.

We show our love for God by loving others. We show our love for others by treating them with respect and dignity, by showing them forgiveness, kindness and gentleness.

"Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10 NIV)

Jesus paid our debt in full. We are completely, totally, forever forgiven.

Our debt of love for God and for others is never paid in full.