A Debt We Do Not Have To Pay

A story is told that at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., in the winter of 1777-78, George Washington, who later become the General of the US Army and President, and his troops were in utterly desperate situation. All of them were doomed to die. Gen. Washington appealed to the governor of Pennsylvania for help. One very rich citizen by the name of Jacob DeHaven, who lived near Valley Forge, was a staunch believer in the revolutionary cause. Responding to Washington’s appeal, he loaned him $50,000 in gold and $400,000 in supplies. In those days, such amount of money was so huge, especially if we convert that into our Peso value.

The army led by Gen. Washington survived the winter and the war, but after the war DeHaven was allegedly never repaid. He himself did not attempt to collect from Gen. Washington or from the U.S. government, even when Washington became President.

Similarly, because of sin and the penalty for sin, all mankind are doomed to die eternally. But because of the love of God for mankind, His very special creation, he gave his only begotten Son to die or receive the penalty of sin on behalf of all sinners to give them eternal life. The only requirement is that the sinner must repent, accept and receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ as his LORD and only Savior.

There is a debt all of us sinners owe that we can never repay. I said, “us” because I include myself. It is the price Jesus Christ paid to give us liberty from the bondage of sin’s guilt and judgment. He redeemed us with His precious blood so that we might have spiritual freedom - - the freedom from the penalty of death or eternal damnation.

The Bible says, “You were not redeemed with ... silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “Grace to you and peace from … Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins” (Gal. 1:3-4).

Jesus wants nothing from us in return except our faith, our love, our gratitude, and obedience. This is not to repay Him for what he has done, but the only appropriate response to a loving savior of our soul, so those who will respond willingly (whosoever will) and in love will have eternal life and be in heaven with Him forever and ever. This is true love - - giving something very precious – His very life; life is in the blood – not expecting anything in return. This is how God love us. How do we respond to His love? “We love him (in return) because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). In fact, the Bible tells us: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 NIV).

When the LORD Jesus was asked by a lawyer who was a Pharisee, “Which is the great commandment in the law?” He answered: “Thou shalt love they God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:36-40 KJV).

Paul speaking on the primacy of LOVE, said:

“13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Cor. 13 1-3 NIV).

Stated differently, after we believe God and repent from all our sins, God needs only our reciprocal LOVE for him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbor as we love ourselves (Luke 10:27 KJV). “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1 KJV). No blood or money required. Only repentance and LOVE for God and our neighbor.