In DEBT or INDEBTED?

A young ex-serviceman went into a New York bank to get a loan for the amount of $600.  He stood in line until his turn came to present his completed application forms 
to the clerk.  The bank employee took considerable time in finishing the transaction, leaving his desk repeatedly to talk to his superior.  Finally the man received the cash.  When he turned to leave, flashbulbs went off as newspaper photographers took his picture.  Bank officials crowded around to inform him that they were returning the papers he had just signed, and that he didn't have to repay the money. The reason: the amount he had borrowed included the one billionth dollar that had been loaned out since the opening of that lending institution.  To highlight the event, the veteran's debt was not entered on the books. Never would it be held against him.

That young ex-serviceman no doubt understood the difference between being 
“in debt”  to the bank and being “indebted”  to the bank for the gift.

YOU and I understand what it means to be “in debt.”  A debt is that which 
one owes, as money, goods, or services.  For example, when a person borrows 
money from a bank to buy a car, he becomes a debtor.  He is obligated to repay 
(with interest) the loan that he obtained from the bank.

One dictionary definition of “indebted” states that it means “morally obligated to acknowledge benefits or favors.”  As in the case of the young ex-serviceman, when one is indebted to another, his acknowledgment of any benefits or favors is accompanied by a deep sense of gratitude.

Because of who God is and what He has done for us, you and I are “indebted” to God.  We owe Him our love, our loyalty, and our very lives, but when we sin, we fail to meet our obligation.  Thus, we are “in debt” to God.  Sin is like an unpaid debt, and it is a debt that every one of us owes (Romans 3:23).  The debt of sin is so great that none of us can be good enough or do enough good to pay off the debt.  We just do not have enough resources to remove the debt that we owe to God.

However, because of His love for us, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt for OUR sin.  The Apostle Peter reminded some Christians of the price of their redemption from sin: "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible 
things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and 
without spot" (1 Peter 1:18-19).  

The blood of Jesus removes the debt of those who will: place their trust in 
God (Hebrews 11:6), repent of their sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) in the name of JESUS for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  The blood of Jesus continues to keep one’s record clean as he continues to live for the One who made His redemption possible (1 John 1:7).  

The Christian is “indebted” to God for the wonderful gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus, through which one’s debt of sin can be PAID IN FULL!

God bless you!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

*(Bill Champion - adapted) 

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