Indebted
READ: Romans 1:8-17
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. —Romans 1:14
The film Saving Private Ryan, though disturbingly graphic, tells the gripping story of a World War II rescue squad sent to bring a soldier out of harm’s way. One by one the squad members are killed—sacrificed for the life of Private James Ryan. Finally, mortally wounded and near death, the squad leader calls young James close and simply says, “Earn this.” Men had given their lives to save Private Ryan, and he needed to embrace the sense of indebtedness such sacrifice should engender. Ryan owed his life to those who had rescued him.
Paul likewise felt indebted. Christ had sacrificed Himself to pay for Paul’s sins and set him free from judgment and death. Paul’s response? “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise” (Rom. 1:14). Why was he indebted to them? The Greeks and barbarians hadn’t died for him, nor had the wise or the unwise. But Christ had. The sacrifice of the Son of God on his behalf was so overwhelming to Paul that he felt he owed it to everyone to make sure they heard of God’s redeeming love. His sense of indebtedness to Christ made him a debtor to all who needed the Savior.
We can’t earn God’s gift of love, but we have an obligation to share it with others who need Him.
Keep me faithful, keep me grateful,
This my earnest plea each day!
Keep me serving, keep me telling
Of His love while yet I may! —Thiesen
We can never sacrifice too much for Him who sacrificed His all for us.
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Ministry and Outreach > Sharing the Gospel > Inviting others to Christ
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