A while back, I used to have the opportunity to listen to the radio during the day. On a few occasions I tuned into the Dave Ramsey show. If you’re unfamiliar with him, he helps people get out of debt using Biblical principles. Every so often he would have people call in who had gotten rid of their debt. They would say how much they paid off, how long it took them and then scream, “I’m debt free!” You could hear the excitement in each of their voices as they declared their freedom from the slavery of debt.
It reminds me of how we should live as Christians: free from the debt of sin. When you accept Jesus as your savior, you automatically become debt free. You become set free from the chains that held you down. Romans 6:22 says, “But now you have been set free from sin… Your gain is a life fully dedicated to Him, and the result is eternal life.” If you’ve been set free, quit living like you are still enslaved to your old life. God has set you free, so you should set yourself free too.
Imagine if a person was in prison and then were found innocent of the charges. The warden comes, walks them to the gates of the prison, opens the doors and says, “You’re free to go.” What would you think of that person said, “Thanks, but I’ve done wrong things in my life and I’m going to stay here”? We would think there’s something wrong with them. They have their freedom yet they choose to stay bound up. Yet, so many of us do the same thing. Jesus set us free, declared us innocent of our past and we stay in a self imposed prison of guilt.
If you’ve been forgiven by God, walk in your freedom. Don’t stay in that cell. Bust through those gates and declare to the world, “I’m debt free!” We should each have that excitement in our voices when we talk of what God has done for us. There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t been bound in a prison of sin. Many choose not to accept Jesus paying the price for them and they stay there. But for those who have been set free by His blood, it’s time we started living like it.
Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, which He gave us in large measure.” If God has given you grace, then give yourself some too. Accept the freedom He gives you and don’t hold yourself down. You are debt free, it’s time to live like it. Let go of the thoughts that hold you captive to your past. Let go of the guilt that keeps you from being happy. Trust the freedom God has given you and live debt free.
Devotions by Chris Hendrix 