Debt Ceiling of a Christian

For the past several weeks one of the top news stories has been whether or not a debt ceiling deal will get accomplished in time for the United States to avoid defaulting on its payments.  As I have read about the ongoing debt crisis in Washington D.C. I have not been able to help but make spiritual applications.

1)    How many times do we have to raise the “debt ceiling” in our personal spiritual lives? Every time that we fall short of the glory of God and sin (Romans 3:23) we are indebted to Jesus Christ. We are able to receive the forgiveness of sins once we have become children of God (Acts 2:38).

2)    What are we doing to keep our “debt ceiling” from rising? I am so thankful for what Jesus has done for me in my life; however because of our thankfulness to Jesus Christ we should be working hard to stop falling more in his “debt” or sinning. We should be working to do our very best to follow him and his word. What are you doing to keep your debt to Christ from rising? Are you reading the word of God on a consistent basis (2 Timothy 2:15)? Are you praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)?

3)    In order to keep the “debt ceiling” from rising tough choices have to be made! In the United States tough choices are going to have to be made to balance the budget and cut the federal deficit. In our spiritual lives it takes tough choices to resist the temptations of the devil (1 Peter 5:8). As Christians we have to be making the tough decisions in order to live in the world but not of the world and to live for Christ (James 4:4, John 15:19). Are you making those tough choices for Christ and avoiding sin?

4)    How thankful are we for the “debt ceiling” that Christ has given us? If Christ had not given us a “debt ceiling” it would be tough if not impossible for us to live with him someday in Heaven. Christ died for us on the cross and shed his blood in order that we could have the forgiveness of sins. How thankful I am that Christ died for me and for you. As Christians we all have sinned (1 John 1:8), and without the blood of Christ we would have no hope. I am thankful for the “debt ceiling” and hope that Christ gives us.

Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (ESV). God loves us so much that he sent his son to die for us (John 3:16). How does your life reflect your love for him?