Debt Free Living

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

John 8:36


The Bible talks a lot about debt free living and upon first glance one would think that what the Bible is talking about has to do with our finances. It’s true, the Bible has much to say regarding money and living debt free as a means of enjoying life more fully for the simple fact that the borrower is subject to the lender. But did you know the debt free living the Bible speaks of most often is the freedom from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus came to purchase our freedom by His life, death, burial and resurrection making it possible for us to come fully alive.

More than anything, God wants His children to experience life to the fullest. Jesus said it Himself in John 10:10 as to why He came, that we might have life and life to the fullest extent. It was Saint Ireneaus who once said, “the glory of God is man fully alive.” To think God is most glorified when you and I are fully alive, living life to the fullest.

God’s redeeming work in each of our lives then is to bring us to life from the dead and then for us to experience the fullness of life as the Holy Spirit continues His sanctifying work in us. Its God’s methods that often times confuse us as the work that He is doing in each of us can feel far from pleasant at times, and in the truest sense God’s work in us can be painful as He cuts and prunes, sands and sharpens. When I consider God’s purposes and plans the expression, “no pain no gain” comes to mind. We do well to remember that God is working in us to transform us into the image of His Son and He who has begun this good work in you is faithful to complete it.

Living life to the fullest begins first by being forgiven by God in Christ. Don’t forget that sin is “debt” and the Bible teaches us that for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life. Forgiveness then is the release of a debt just as unforgiveness is bearing the weight of a debt. When we are living in sin or un-repented sin we are under sins burden, indebted to sin and therefore it is impossible to experience the fullness of life when we are living in unforgiveness. The first step to experiencing life to the fullest is receiving God’s forgiveness. The second step is to live in forgiveness. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” God knows forgiveness is freeing, both it’s giving and receiving.    

Yes, loved one, God is glorified most when you and I are fully alive, and we are fully alive when we are free, debt free. No one or nothing is holding us down. Once we are forgiven we are now free to enjoy the newness and fullness of life. Because we have been set free, we can enjoy God and one another. Free from our past we can now look forward to what lies ahead. The chains are broken, we are set free!

Because of Jesus paying a debt He did not owe you and I are free from a debt we could not pay. Because we are free today we can love God with all of our heart, with all of our mind, with all of our soul, and with all of our strength. We have no other debts so we are free to love God and as well we are free to love one another. It’s why the apostle Paul could write in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Guard your heart the Bible teaches us for out of our hearts flow the issues of life. Enjoy debt free living today as you walk with Jesus. If your heart is filled with things other than the things of God, like King David make it your prayer today, “create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Walk with Jesus as He makes known to you the paths of life recalling that “in Him was life, and that life was the light of men.”


“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Matthew 11:28-30

I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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