Mar 21 – Debtors to Love !

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

Every child of God carries a debt — the debt of love. First, we must love God. Then, we must love our brothers and sisters. Christianity itself is the way of love. Love is the central law, the supreme commandment of the Christian faith.

In the Old Testament, there were ten commandments. But in the New Testament, there are two great commandments. First, we must love God. Second, we must love our neighbour as ourselves. In these two commandments are contained all the Law and the Prophets.

How did we become debtors? The Bible says: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

Many believers today long for others to show them love, yet they neither love God nor express love toward others. They do not realize that they carry a debt of love — a debt that must be fulfilled. Jesus Christ gave His life for us and thereby made us debtors. We are debtors to love; debtors to love others.

Once, I met a young brother who, with tears, shared that his wife had left him. With deep burden and compassion, I prayed earnestly for him and blessed him, believing that peace would return to his home.

A few weeks later, he came to see me carrying sweets in his hands. He said, “I am indebted to your love and your prayers. Please accept this. That day when you prayed with tears and burden, great joy filled my heart. Just as you prayed, my wife has returned, and we are living together happily.” See how even a small act of love made him feel indebted!

Our Lord Jesus Christ, because of His love for us, took the form of a servant and came down to earth. Because of that love, He performed countless miracles with compassion. Because of that love, He staggered through the streets of Jerusalem carrying the heavy cross. With a crown of thorns upon His head, His body scourged and pierced by cruel nails, He willingly gave Himself for us.

Children of God, what can we possibly offer in return for such love?

Verse for further meditation: “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:12–13).