ROMANS 1:14 I AM A DEBTOR There are real obligations we owe to others. It's part of what goes along with being in the family of God and a member of the kingdom of God. Actually, we are stewards of God's grace and the message of salvation. God has entrusted us with the most important task anyone could ever have. We are to tell people how to come to God by faith. Paul was to take the Gospel to kings and to the Gentiles. His obligation was to reach the cultured and the uncultured. That covered pretty much all of the Roman empire as far as the extent as to where he was to go. The wise and unwise refers to all degrees of intelligence. The people he was to reach with the Gospel were all people in every place.
To be the trusted bearer of tidings of infinite importance is a high calling indeed. The steward of God's truth is not upset in any way because he is a debtor to all men. He knows the great privilege it is to open the eyes of people to the light of the Gospel. Such a person is glad to be a debtor who tells people to "Come, for all things are now ready." He is willing to become "all things to all men that by any means he might save some." Paul was a debtor because God had committed the Gospel to him.
The Gospel message that has been given to us to tell others of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, is a great privilege to be involved in. We owe people to tell them of the wonders of God's grace, His love and forgiveness. It is our obligation to pass on the simplicity of salvation because of the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross. They need to hear from us the truth of the resurrection, ascension and coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. People need to know of the unsearchable riches of Christ. We are debtors with the great privilege of being a steward of our Lord to tell the world, "All things are ready, come."
What really do I owe to those of my generation? How can a debtor to all men tell them all the way of salvation? It seems to me an impossible task, so how should I make a start? In some way I have to convince my hearers I speak to them from my heart.
I am a debtor to the family and friends I know best. They need to be reminded of God's truth just like the rest. Some have heard the Gospel for a lifetime, yet until now they have neglected What they knew from their youth, the same as those who Christ rejected.
I am a debtor to the children and the poor, to the simple and to the rich. To the Lord God individuals are worth more than the world, it doesn't matter which. The delight when a child is saved is as great as when one is more mature. My obligation to them both is to make the way of salvation more clear.
I am a debtor to those I have never met to give them God's Good News. The ones the Lord directs me to are the ones who in grace He did choose To hear the Gospel whether in this town or some other place. It is only possible for me to find them if I am willing to walk by faith.
I am a debtor to the Lord's own people to teach, encourage and cheer. Not everyone I am to seek is far away, some folks are very near. I owe them the time they need to be strengthened for daily living; When it is within my power some help for them to be giving.
I am a debtor to the Lord Jesus, that is a debt I cannot pay. A thousand years of labor and service can't pay for a moment of His suffering that day. When on the cross, He bore my sins I could not erase for eternity - But because of what He did for me, my sins are cast into the deepest sea.
"Father God, I will never be able to fill all these obligations, but it does givenmy life real meaning when I am able to apply myself to the work of the kingdom of God. When it comes to the needs of the saints and sinners, I know there will always be those who are needy. But I know when I do what needs to be done for the Lord, there
is a lasting value in that effort. Thank You for letting me participate in Thy work. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."