Rom 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

      

The Bible is often very practical in respect of everyday living and we can never say we didn't have God's guidance. In this practical part of Romans Paul has just said, “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” (Rom 13:7). In other words, very simply, give to anyone what you owe them. Don't be a debtor. How would modern life be if we followed this rule? How many people today are slaves to debt?

 

However, says Paul, there is one debt which can be continuing, the debt of love. However much we love, we are to always keep on loving – because God has first loved us (see 1 John). We are always to be ‘paying back' love to whoever we encounter. The “one another” simply means everyone. That is to be the ongoing activity of our lives, to be paying out love as we pay off the debt of God's love towards us.

 

Have you ever seen it like that? God gave us this immense gift of His love for us, expressed in the form of the death of His Son. He's also given us the ‘currency' of love, His own Holy Spirit, and so He wants us to constantly be ‘paying off' this gift, giving it back to Him if you like, by allowing His Spirit of love, to love others through us. It's not what we've got to give but what He has within us. Hallelujah!