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| “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” |
| —Romans 13:8 |
If you are not a part of the Evangelical Christian community, you may not know that there is a struggle within the ranks that has existed for many years, but has risen in its awareness in the last decade.
It is an argument fomented in the 1920s and 1930s when mainline denominational churches began to follow the pathway marked by political progressivism. With an emphasis on social programs and good works, the so-called progressive Christians de-emphasized holiness and ardent discipleship. Instead, they focused on acts of kindness that would, supposedly, show forth the loving nature of Jesus.
In response, Evangelical Christians who were shocked by the seeming abandonment of the core values of the faith with regard to sober and righteous living—and believing that Christians were to be “salt” and “light” to a needy world—reacted by developing a long list of prescribed behaviors that, supposedly, led toward holiness and away from the sinful behaviors of the world. These Fundamentalist Christians, as they were often called, were juxtaposed against the so-called Liberal or Progressive Christians.
The obvious truth, upon close examination, is that both groups nearly missed the “boat” of Christianity entirely.
Yes, God is a holy God. He expects His children to live holy lives. He also knows that this march toward holiness is a life-long endeavor and can only succeed by the intervention of His Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.
It is right and proper for God to expect His children to hold fast to the teachings of Scripture regarding righteous living. They should study the pattern of holiness expressed in the life of Jesus and follow His example. They should set a high standard of living based on the teachings of Scripture. They should revere God’s Word. They should stand for righteousness in the face of evil.
But, God is also a God of intense love—love that we cannot even begin to comprehend. We see this love from God played out in the life of His Son, Jesus.
Therefore, it is very important that followers of Jesus show forth this God-breathed love to others. This most certainly takes the form of acts of extreme self-sacrificing kindness toward those in need. It involves being as welcoming to sinners as Jesus was—particularly since we are all sinners. It involves allowing the love of Christ to flow through the believers into a very needy world.
So you see, neither side of the continuing controversy has the Christian life exactly right. We need both holiness and a great outpouring of love. We cannot emphasize one over the other. We cannot allow our desire to express love and acceptance to bypass the clear teaching of Scripture regarding the right way of living—nor vice versa. And that’s where things become very difficult.
For example, should Christians welcome all people to their churches, no matter what those people may believe or how they live? The startling answer is “Yes!”
Should Christians find ways to affirm behavior that they believe the Bible teaches is sinful? The startling answer is “No!”
So, as a Christian I must welcome everyone, but I must be careful that in welcoming them I do not affirm improper behavior. Can it be any more difficult?
I have dear friends, people that I love and for whom I have deep respect, who believe that in every case love must triumph. So, they are willing to overlook behavior that most consider sinful in order to show forth Christ’s love.
I submit that this is not the true example set by Jesus. He was always welcoming, but He also never pulled His punches when confronting sin. He welcomed the woman at the well, but also pointed out her sinful way of life. Yes, He did so in a very loving way. But, He did so, nevertheless.
And that brings us to today’s Scripture found in Romans 13:8:
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
The Apostle Paul chooses to emphasize love in the instance of outstanding debts. Instead of focusing on that amount of money that was owed, Paul instructs us to simply repay that debt. He asserts that the only debt we can keep on the books is the debt that causes us to show God-breathed love to each other. That’s good advice in these difficult days.
As we walk a fine line today—showing love but standing for righteousness—let’s rely more and more on the Holy Spirit to prompt our speech and our actions. We will do well if we heed this advice of the Apostle Paul.
