All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him (Isaiah 53:6 NASB)
Stop.
This is not a political statement. I’m not talking about single payer government health insurance. I’m talking about something personal and completely effective, one Payer, one payment.
I have a dear friend who is often haunted by his past. He’s fighting to make wise choices going forward, but sometimes guilt swoops upon him. He says it feels like a nine hundred pound gorilla pinning him down.
I can relate. Regrets from the past can steal our peace and bring us into feelings of condemnation and obligation. The “woulda,” “coulda,” and “shouldas” of life give us feelings of deficit and defeat, especially concerning our standing with God. We try to do better, but on our own, our gorilla just gets bigger.
In God’s economy there’s a different story going on. In His eyes, we all have the same sin resume.’ The playing field is level. The big monkey has us all pinned down. Try as we will, nothing we can do will free us. We need a Rescuer. Someone to free us from the strangle hold we’re in.
God’s arrangement for our freedom is counterintuitive. Only a perfect Lamb can pay the price to set us free. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might take on His righteousness.[1] One payment, made for all; total, eternal forgiveness.
Ours is to trust, to commit to and to rely upon the Lord Jesus Christ, our Payer. He saved us, not only to cancel our debt and rescue us from eternal separation from Him, but also to make us whole; to free us to live lives of peace, hope and joy.[2]
The blood of Jesus paid for every sin: past, present and future. When we believe, we become God’s beloved child.[3]
When we make our final car payment, we receive our title. The car is finally ours. No more payment is required. If we try and pay again, the payment will be rejected. There’s no debt to apply it to.
As children of God, our debt too has been paid. Payments of religious activities, or any other ways we try and earn our place with God, can’t be applied. We’ve already been redeemed. The title of Eternal nearness to God is already ours. We can enjoying it now.
Lord, so often I feel as if you want me to do something to solidify my relationship with you. But you truly have paid it all. You don’t want me to strive. You want me to rest and allow your Spirit to have full reign of my life. Please remind me, when the world is too much with me and guilt and shame once more press in, that the gorilla is dead. You paid the price. I’m free. I’m free.
[1] II Corinthians 5:21
[2] Romans 1:8-9
[3] John 1:12
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures. Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
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