The Love Debt

Credit cards are a misnomer; they are in reality debt cards. Every time we use one, we increase our debt load until the balance is paid. Spiritually, we come into the world saddled with a debt of love. We owe our parents or caretakers for whatever quality of care we received from them. We owe God for creating life. He is worthy of our love, trust and obedience. We cannot pay off our sin debt (Matthew 18:15-35) which is another reason to love God who paid it for us.

The only way to "repay" God is to "pay it forward." He doesn’t need anything. Everything belongs to him. Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you."

In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul said the only debt we can never satisfy is the debt of love; yet, we are asked to keep making whatever minimum payment we can in whatever stage of life we are. He gives examples of what currency to use in making those payments. Read Romans 13:8-15:9.

• Love does no harm.
• Love behaves decently.
• Love accepts.
• Love does not pass judgment on disputable matters.
• Love does not put obstacles in another's path, especially to salvation.
• Love practices righteousness, peace and joy by the Holy Spirit.
• Love bears with, tolerates, the failings of the weak.

Love has many facets. One of which is "to speak the truth" in a way to bring good to others (Ephesians 4:14-16). Flattery isn't love. Leaving a child uncorrected for bullying is not love. Although, we accept those God has accepted, we are not showing love when we appear to be accepting of behavior which is not decent (1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15).

Through the years Women in Christ has written about biblical women who expressed the love of God and others in various ways.

Dorcas or Tabitha sewed garments for widows. Jehosheba, a priest's wife hid the last of the king's sons to save his life. An anonymous young Israelite slave girl told her owner Naaman's wife where he could find healing for his skin disease. Lydia opened her home as a gathering place for new Christians in Philippi. Priscilla along with her husband taught a talented preacher more about the Messiah he was preaching. There were the women from Galilee who used their own money to support Jesus' ministry. Martha, Mary and Lazarus welcomed Jesus into their home to rest and to teach. Eunice and Lois brought Timothy up in faith, teaching him the Scriptures. The Bible is full of examples of love in action and examples of failure to show godly love.

Opportunities are all around us, especially in our own families. Let's all keep our eyes and ears open for those opportunities to love one another deeply and keep up our love payments.