Indebted

7/15/2020

Romans 1:14 “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians.”

The power of the first few lines today’s study hit me hard. Chambers writes, “Paul was overwhelmed with the sense of his indebtedness to Jesus Christ, and he spent himself to express it. The great inspiration in Paul’s life was his view of Jesus Christ as his spiritual creditor. Do I feel that sense of indebtedness to Christ in regard to every unsaved soul?” BAM! Right down deep in my soul. I was forced to look at who or what I am indebted to. If it is anyone or anything other than Jesus, then I have lost my way. I will admit, I oftentimes feel spent because of a physical job I have done, lack of sleep, or because I am worried or fearful (that last one is huge for me)...but am I spent through giving myself totally to the one who gave His life for me? Do I feel the depth of that indebtedness every day, and therefore pour myself out for others in the name of Jesus?

There have been several occasions when God led me into someone’s pain or suffering, to be there for them with support and love. These instances take my time, prayers, and often tears, and are definitely wearying, but I have never thought about those times as being spent for Jesus. I have thought of them as times of humble blessings, but never about an intentional grateful obligation. If I did, wouldn’t I want to give all of myself every day? Wouldn’t I share the truth of the Gospel with others and love out loud without reservation?

I know I often struggle with the “how” of doing this while living everyday life, but if I, like Paul, approached indebtedness with intentionality, it would become a critical part of my journey with Jesus. What would happen if I was focused on how to be spent for Jesus, instead of spending myself on auxiliary things? Why is it easier for me to follow the ways of a fallen and selfish world than to follow the way of my Savior?

I am, as always, a work in progress.