Our debt to God is not economic but righteousness. God forgave us through Christ Jesus out of his free will because nothing and no one could placate our debts. Acts 4: 12 says there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved. Christ did not only die to forgive our debts but continues to intercede for us when we go wrong. Romans 8: 34 says it is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.
Jesus paid for our debts with his blood for a reason as espoused in 1Thessalonians 5: 10, who (Jesus) died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. In effect, in life and in death, one Jesus has paid for our debts which we have committed through sin, we are clean to start a fresh relationship with God through him as a new covenant. The terms and conditions of the new covenant requires that we be faithful to Christ Jesus. John 12: 49 says for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me himself has given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. John 14: 24 says the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
Performing under the new covenant
Luke 16: 11-13 says “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. If then you have not been faithful with the dishonest wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you what is your own? No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
The shrewd servant’s approach
Reading from Luke 16: 8-10 in summary, the shrewd servant was unfaithful to his master. He could not be trusted with more in the future. He needed to be sacked. Those of us who are not faithful with the capacities or talents God has given to them will have nothing in addition. Jesus said in Matthew 13: 12; 25: 29 Mark 4: 25; Luke 8: 18, for to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.
We will be sacked in eternity or from this life if we are unfaithful with what we have been entrusted. We must be faithful to God for whatever we have, and to use it wisely to satisfy our master Jesus to secure our future with God in eternity. We need foresight and integrity and haste to uphold our charge no matter the worldly attractions as the shrewd servant did. How do others benefit from what we have by grace? When we fail to honour God with our gifts, we become dishonest and serve wealth which Jesus detests.
What must be our approach?
Which friend will we have in eternity? Revelation 2: 10 says be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. If Jesus has paid our debts for us, let us now respect the new terms or the new covenant. Revelation 2: 25 says hold fast to what you have until I come. With unfaithfulness, we may lose our crown. Revelation 3: 11 says I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
The shrewd servant chose the path of dishonesty though visionary to secure his future. We must choose the path of righteousness with vision to secure our eternity. Hebrews 12: 11 says now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Are we committed to secure our future with discipline and honesty in a timely manner? Paul said in Romans 13: 8 owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
We owe Christ Jesus an unfailing love for him which we must seek and maintain in righteousness. For that love, Paul said in Romans 8: 35-39 who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will we be honest with our debts to Christ Jesus? Will we be faithful to our friendship with him? Will we keep a worthy relationship with him for our debts so he may provide for us in his home above after this life? Jesus died to save us, we must love him to pay for our debts.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you died for us to pay for our debts which we could not pay. We thank you for shedding your blood for us so we may be with you whether in this life or hereafter. In return for paying our debts, help us to love and cherish you for what you did for us on the cross. Help us by your Holy Spirit to live a righteous and godly life to your glory and honour in your holy name, Amen!!
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