Our Gospel Debt

“I am a debtor both to the Greeks and the barbarians, both to the wise and the unwise…” Romans 1:14               

Debtor (opheiletēs). Common word from opheilō, to owe for one who has assumed an obligation. Robertson Word Pictures

A debtor has an obligation to pay or repay.

Paul says I am a debtor; I am obligated to pay. The implication is, I owe everyone something.

Paul had in his possession the Gospel of Christ. He enjoyed the benefits that came with obedience to the Gospel. He wanted to share that good news so that others could enjoy those same benefits.

If I have the benefits of the Gospel in my life, then I have obeyed what it called on me to do to enter a relationship with Christ and therefore have assumed the obligation to share this good news. I am indebted to those who have not heard the Gospel. I owe them.

Paul appreciated how deeply the Gospel impacted his life; the love of Christ compelled Him. This resulted in him saying, “So as much as is in me is…” with every ounce of energy I can muster, “I am ready, to preach the Gospel to you who are at Rome also.” Romans 1:15

Why? “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 

Every blood bought Christian is indebted to the lost. Whether or not we attempt to pay that debt is a choice. Consider standing before the judgment seat of Christ having made little to no payments on our debt to the lost. What will our answer be?