Romans 8:12

THE CHRISTIAN’S INDEBTEDNESS

‘Therefore, brethren, we are debtors.’

Romans 8:12

The love of Christ is the true philosopher’s stone. It turns everything to gold. To be a slave in St. Paul’s day meant utter bondage and drudgery, and yet the Apostle delighted to call himself the slave of Christ. The condition of a debtor was full of hardship, but St. Paul rings out in joyous triumph, ‘I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians’; ‘Therefore, brethren, we are debtors.’ This indebtedness is not degrading but ennobling, not disheartening but inspiring. It makes the debtor’s heart glow with thankfulness and honest pride to see the grace, the love, the gentle patient fellowship of the Spirit which make him such a debtor.

Of this indebtedness to God let me say three things:—

I. It commences with the enjoyment of free and perfect pardon through Christ.

II. It increases when we receive the full endowment of the Holy Ghost.

III. It is intensified when we look out with the eyes of Christ upon the poverty of a Christless world.

—Rev. F. S. Webster.

Illustration

‘The call for active service is louder than ever. Here at home we have to deplore the inordinate pleasure-seeking, the impious Sabbath-breaking, the widespread betting and gambling, the unrestrained licentiousness and immorality. The old fear of God, and the old godly habits of family worship and the teaching of children by their parents, are being left behind. The forces of evil are very great. The age demands a crusade. We are bound to readjust our whole manner of life in view of the present distress. Even young ladies, the daughters of Shallum, turned bricklayers when the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt. The breaches that sin has made in the national character and in the homes of old England will not be repaired until every Christian realises his responsibility and sets to work with both hands.’