Paying Off Debt
Sermon Series: A Road Through Romans
Paying Off Debt
Romans 13:8-11
Pastor Bob Cherry
November 12, 2023
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, `You shall not commit adultery,’ You shall not murder,’ `You shall not steal,’ `You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” (Romans 13:8-11)
The 5 D’s of Challenging Relationships:
- Differences
- Demands
- Difficulties
- Disagreements
- Disappointments
Steps to Paying Off Debt By Loving People Who Are Difficult to Love:
- Remembering to Pray
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:12-18)
- Recognizing that God is Working to Refine Us in Difficult Relationships
“…We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3b-5)
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know that we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (Romans 8:26-29)
- Realizing that I Have “Blind Spots” and Things I Don’t Understand
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
(Proverbs 12:15)
- Refraining from Judging or Jumping to Conclusions and Condemning
Jesus taught; “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Romans 6:37)
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26)
- Renewing My Mind with God’s Word
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
- Responding with Grace and Love that Brings Glory to God
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
Jesus said; “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”