Debt

[Note:  This was written nine years ago (July 2012), but the points yet hold.  I send this in light of the debt ceiling battle on Capitol Hill and proposed stimulus packages being considered.  Say “NO” to debt!]

Debt is owing a deed, a favor, money or recognition.  Debt is being at the mercy of another either because of a conscious decision to do so (going to the bank for a loan) or unwillingly being placed under the power or obligation of another (those who died protecting our freedoms or those underwater on their house mortgage receiving help from the government with borrowed money).

Many have come to accept debt as the 21st century way of life.  After all, many, in addition to the previously accepted debts on a house and an auto, have added debt for furniture or a 50″ flat screen TV or for college expenses.  But many today have even added debt just to maintain life!  Thousands have maxed out credit cards spent on who knows what? meals out, new shoes, gasoline, vacations, ad infinitum!

Then we have our government spending millions every minute that is borrowed and thus increasing our debt to levels the average mind simply can’t comprehend.  And we regularly hear of the debt crisis in Europe.  Debt everywhere!  We swim in debt!

No, in fact, we are drowning in debt!  Drowning because there is a debt that is going to kill us.  And that debt is what we owe God (Romans 4:4).  The problem with this debt, in addition to the fact that we are generally ignorant of it and daily adding to it, is that we can’t stop it, let alone pay it down or ever eliminate it.

This debt is the accumulation of every sin we think, speak, or do – all against a holy/perfect God who will one day call for an accounting and payment.  Most people think that they have enough good works to neutralize the debt or even cancel it, but God says, “No” (Isaiah 64:6).  Our good works have “self” in them and thus render them NOT good before God (Romans 3:12).

When the day of reckoning comes, we will stand before God, unable to pay or even negotiate our debt.  At that time God will end His patience, evidenced by the many notices He has sent out warning about sin and its consequence (Romans 6:23); and He will demand from each individual full payment (Matthew 18:34).

The judgment justly due us is that we will be removed from the means of incurring more debt (our will and freedoms will be ended!) and we will pay on the debt by being removed from all the good and grace that God gives to all men on earth (rain falls on the good and bad alike).  This is Hell – no freedoms, no will, and no grace.

Our condition?  Worse than desperate!  We are without hope!  Except – EXCEPT!!  God has offered to pay our debt if we acknowledge and repent of our selfishness, rebellion, and evil thoughts and actions.  To repent means we desperately want to change our ways (Acts 17:30).

But that is not all that is required to get this “gift” from God that is sufficient to fully pay our debt.  We must also submit to the rule of Jesus in our life.  That is, we ask Him to take over control as we put ourselves under Him as His servant (Matthew 11:29-20).  Now this servanthood is for this life only, in eternity there will be wonderful perks and pluses and NO debt – ever!

So – DEBT!  A huge problem!  No, a deadly problem!  But to escape the deadly judgment due from God for our debt, salvation is offered in repenting and submitting before Jesus.  May you know the peace and release that comes from having your debt eliminated for good for eternity by Jesus!  (Romans 3:21-26; 4:2-5; 5:1-2, 6-11)