Let me try to answer this question. I ask it because of a Line of divinely inspired Scripture, in fact.
Romans 8:12 … “Therefore, brethren, WE ARE DEBTORS, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.”
I have no intention to discuss the negative answer Paul gives to the query. “Not to the flesh!”
But still … surely … by grammatical rules alone, our Verse adamantly declares (plainly) … “We are debtors!”
And without doubt everyone must agree that Romans 8 (the Chapter where our question of the day is found) is expressly written to Christians! “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are IN CHRIST JESUS, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The chapter’s opening Salvo! Did you notice the Phrase “in Christ Jesus?”
Sort of like this: “Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
We Christians then are “debtors!”
Period.
But to Whom?
I say to God the Father! But NOT in the sense of repaying His Grace, His eternal salvation! You can’t do that when a Gift is involved! (If you try to earn it, no longer is it a gift, but a wage!)
But … follow me closely now … we do owe Him a debt of gratitude! Of honor and respect and adoration and love!
I say we are eternally indebted to the Lord Jesus Christ … “Who loved me and gave Himself for me” on Calvary! Here alluding to Galatians 2:20, its last Clause.
I certainly owe Him obedience! His Words, John 14:15 … “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
And goodness … do I owe the Holy Spirit, God the Third Person we sometimes call Him. Oh, how He has changed me, conformed me, inhabited me, encouraged me, cautioned me, just the beginning of a long list. I owe Him my life of cooperation … being careful not to “grieve” Him or “quench” Him day by day. Here having Ephesians 4:30 and 1 Thessalonians 5:19 in mind.
In fact, I think I even owe my brothers and sisters in Christ something. Paul, tell us please. “Owe no man any thing, but to love one another.” Romans 13:8, King James Version.
God loves you. He has saved you. And placed us both in the same Family. Hence I am to sincerely love you. This obligatory love is a “proof” of one’s salvation, to be honest! “We KNOW that we have passed from death unto life, BECAUSE WE LOVE THE BRETHREN. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14
When I say we are “free” in Christ, I am merely agreeing with the Bible. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.” Galatians 5:1
But along with that liberty (particularly from the burdensome Law of Moses) I do have some obligations. Some debts to fulfill!
To answer the question in today’s lesson title … YES!
Back to Romans 8:12 we go …“Therefore, brethren, we ARE debtors.”
Then let’s live like it!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Jesus on the Cross paid in full my sin debt! Now I owe my life, all of it, in service to Him … in sweet, willing gratitude!
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