I owe you
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law (Rom.13.8).
“No one owes you anything” is a modern phrase that people use to negate the sense of entitlements on display whenever there is need to address it. It sounds good but it is not true. We are debtors as believers to show a token of the love we have received. While it is not encouraged that people exhibit a sense of entitlement, it is also important that you learn to love as God demands. It means you owe everyone an unconditional love. It isn’t an impossible debt to pay. You are just expected to demonstrate the same love you have received from Christ to others without reservation.
Therefore, it is untrue that no one owes you anything. Though you cannot force others to love you but the believers must walk in love as a matter of discipline and lifestyle. You should not be involved in selfish living where it is all about Me, I and Myself. The danger of living for yourself is that you deny the world around you the opportunity to know the Love of God. As far as the world is concerned, angels will not come to show how much God loves people. And if we will obey the scripture, it is people that God uses to bless others as they sensitively walk in love towards others.
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matt.25.37-40).
Every day is an opportunity to be a blessing to someone. While you may not be obligated by the society to show kindness, you are obligated by your faith to show love. You’re a debtor. This is no license for others to be lazy and wait on help from people but the believers in Christ cannot deny that it is expected of them to reflect the love of God for humanity. We are debtors indeed.
© Olusola John.