Have you ever considered what it means to be in debt to someone? Not just financially, but in a manner that encompasses emotional and spiritual indebtedness? Perhaps you’ve felt this after receiving a favor from a friend or a loan from a family member. This feeling, this acknowledgment of debt, gives us a sense of duty or obligation that we strive to fulfill.
In Romans 13, Paul uses this analogy to illustrate a critical aspect of Christian living. He suggests that just as we feel compelled to settle our financial debts, we should feel an even greater compulsion to fulfill our debt of love towards one another. This debt of love is unique; it is not something that can be settled and forgotten. Unlike financial debts, which can be paid off and put behind us, the debt of love is perpetual and enduring.
Paul frames this obligation of love as a joyful duty — one that does not burden or oppress us. Instead, it enriches and fulfills us. This debt is not marked by ledgers or kept track in bank accounts but is written on our hearts and displayed through our actions. In John 13:35, Jesus Himself emphasizes the importance of this love: “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Here, love is more than an emotion; it is a testament to our faith.
1. Live Debt Free While Embracing Indebtedness
In Romans 13:8, Paul says that Christ followers should “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another.” This seems to pull us in two opposite directions — advocating for a life free from debt while simultaneously calling us to embrace a perpetual indebtedness of love. The phrase, “Owe nothing to anyone,” is often misunderstood or taken out of context to support being completely debt-free. However, Paul’s focus is not solely on financial debt but on a broader spectrum of obligations. His advice surpasses the simplicity of financial advice and goes deeper into the relational debts we incur daily.
Financial freedom is valuable, and avoiding debt is wise stewardship. However, Paul is not prohibiting financial debt. Instead, he is reminding us of the priorities that should govern a Christian’s life. He is cautioning us against allowing financial or other obligations to overshadow our fundamental duty to love others.
Paul introduces the concept of an unending debt of love: “Except to love one another.” This debt is not burdensome; rather, it enriches both the giver and the recipient. It is a debt that, continually compels us to act in love towards others, reflecting the inexhaustible love Christ has for us. Origen, an early theologian, suggests that our debt of love should persist indefinitely. It is beneficial to always be in the process of paying this love forward while simultaneously acknowledging that it can never be fully repaid. This endless debt keeps our hearts aligned with Christ’s commandments and deepens our connections with those around us.
Ultimately, the debt we feel towards one another is rooted in our primary debt to Christ. It is He who modeled perfect love by sacrificing Himself for our salvation. We are indebted to Him not only for the salvation He offers but for the example of love He embodies. Every act of love we extend to others is a reflection of the love we have received from Him. The gospel teaches us that Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, has shown us the ultimate form of love. Our response, therefore, should be one of continual giving to those around us. By living like this, we fulfill the law of Christ and show His love to the world.
2. Love Your Neighbor and Fulfill the Law
Romans 13:8-10 explains how loving our neighbors is not just a moral good — it fulfills the law itself. In Matthew 22, we can read about a critical interaction between Jesus and a Pharisee. When Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment, He cites Deuteronomy 6:4, saying that we should love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. He pairs this with a command to love one’s neighbor as oneself. Therefore, Paul is not presenting a new concept in Romans; rather, he is reiterating a truth that is central to the Gospel.
Paul’s message in Romans 13 aligns seamlessly with the Ten Commandments, which are divided into duties towards God (vertical relationships) and duties towards others (horizontal relationships). By fulfilling these commandments through love, we engage in a complete expression of faith. Paul specifically highlights several commandments against adultery, murder, theft, and covetousness. These directly impact our interactions with others. In framing these commands within the context of love, Paul makes a compelling case: acts of sin against others are fundamentally failures of love. For instance, it is unloving to betray, harm, or steal from someone.
Love for others is not a secondary aspect of Christian life; it is the very manifestation of our faith. To illustrate, Paul compares this to the natural growth of fruit on a tree. Just as a peach tree naturally bears peaches, a Christian, rooted in the love of Christ, naturally exudes love towards others. True love — the fruit of our faith — is not self-generated through mere human effort. Instead, it flows naturally from our life in Christ. As we abide in Him, nourished by His Word and Spirit, we produce the fruit of love spontaneously and abundantly.
How then, do we apply this profound truth in everyday life? It begins with a reorientation of our priorities and perspectives. Loving others sacrificially involves recognizing their needs as crucial, often placing them before our own. This might manifest in simple, everyday actions: treating service workers with respect, engaging with community members without prejudice, or extending forgiveness where it is least expected. This love is sacrificial and costly, as demonstrated by the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.
Jonathan Edwards Objections to Christian Charity
Jonathan Edwards, a pivotal figure in American religious history and a leading voice in the First Great Awakening, provides deep insight into the challenges of Christian charity. Edwards outlined eight specific objections that believers might encounter when striving to love their neighbors as Christ loves us.
1. Pride
Edwards argues that pride can often prevent us from showing charity. The Bible clearly states that God opposes the proud (James 4:6), suggesting that a proud heart is at odds with the spirit of generosity and humility required to show true charity.
2. Selfishness
Like pride, selfishness skews our motivations. Christian charity should not be about personal gain or self-satisfaction. Christ’s example of sacrificial love, laying down His life for others, sets the standard. Our giving should mirror this selflessness, reflecting a desire to glorify God rather than ourselves.
3. Envy
Jealousy can corrupt the intention behind our acts of kindness. If envy drives our actions, we are not truly acting in love. Paul instructs us to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), promoting empathy over envy.
4. Anger and Resentment
Harboring anger or resentment can significantly hinder charity. Edwards emphasizes that Christian love forgives and lets go of grudges, as we have been forgiven through Christ. This forgiveness is not optional but a fundamental aspect of Christian identity.
5. Fear of Enabling
A common concern is that showing love or charity might enable harmful behaviors. Edwards advises that we use wisdom and discernment — offering help in a way that encourages positive change without facilitating negative behavior.
6. Scarcity of Resources
The fear of not having enough can deter us from giving generously. However, Edwards points out that sacrificial giving is an act of faith, trusting God’s provision. The widow’s mite (Mark 12:41-44) is a biblical example of faith-based generosity.
7. Doubt of Impact
Edwards challenges the notion that one person’s contributions are too small to make a difference. Every act of kindness or charity has the potential to significantly impact someone’s life. This objection is a call to trust in the ripple effects of our good deeds, no matter how small they may seem.
8. Misguided Motivations
Lastly, Edwards addresses the issue of charity done for the wrong reasons — whether for recognition, guilt, or obligation. True Christian charity is motivated by love and a desire to serve God, not by external pressures or personal gain.
Jonathan Edwards’ reflections remind us that the obstacles to loving as Christ loves are often rooted in our human frailties — pride, selfishness, and fear. Overcoming these requires a deep commitment to spiritual growth and a constant reliance on God’s grace. As we strive to embody the love described in Romans 13, let us remember that our capacity to love derives from God’s infinite love for us, demonstrated supremely in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through prayer, reflection, and community, we can begin to address these objections in our lives, moving closer to the model of charity that Christ himself exemplified.
