Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. – Romans 13:8

Today’s Scripture Reading (February 5, 2018): Romans 13

Thomas Jefferson said, “I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.” I believe Jefferson is right. I am currently reading a military thriller, and the plot line of the book is that a weaponized flu, in combination with a traitor in Washington, D.C., in this case, the Vice-President of the United States, combines to allow for the military downfall of the United States at the hands of North Korea and China. (The book was written in 2014, long before the diplomatic war between North Korea and President Trump began, showing a level of prophecy.) And while the book makes a good read, I am convinced that the United States will not be weak enough to fall militarily for decades yet. There is no danger of a military defeat at the hands of the enemies of the United States. But where the United States is vulnerable is in the area of debt. I am very uncomfortable, as apparently, Thomas Jefferson might have been, at the National Debt that seems to be embraced by most countries of the political West. This is our weakness, and this is where our enemies will defeat us. I am uncomfortable with the national debt that we seem to be willing to pass on to our children. I am uncomfortable with the personal debt that we seem to believe is okay for us to maintain. It shows a weakness in our character, and it is a weakness that our enemies will, at some point, exploit.

Paul seemed to understand this as well. Romans 13:8 is a powerhouse of a verse. First, it directly admonishes most of our attitudes about debt. Paul does not say be careful with debt, or to keep your debt within certain limits. His message is clear, and it matches the belief of Thomas Jefferson. Do not maintain any level of debt. Debt is bad, get out of it. Debt allows someone else to exert a level of authority over you that, as followers of God, is not beneficial. So no debt.

But then Paul makes one exception. We are to maintain a debt of love owed to everyone with whom we endeavor to share this planet. Everyone, regardless of country of origin, the color of skin, gender, sexual preference, or religion is to be loved by us. Love everyone.

Inside of the Christian Church, we seem to like rules, at least we make enough of them. But Paul adds this thought to the idea of love. If you want to keep the law if you are worried that you have broken too many rules in your life and God just might not accept you because of it, then here is the solution. Love. Maintain an active debt of love toward everyone that you meet. In other words, let your actions reflect the idea that you owe other people love. Do this, and all of the rules have been kept. There is no way that you can live a life of love and not fulfill every portion of the Law of God. Sin in your life will be confined to the areas where you cannot love. This is what is required of you; run from debt and love everyone you meet. And then you will be worthy of being called a child of God.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Romans 14