Colossians 2:13-14 NIV
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.
Many have reported ordering food at a drive-through and when they finally get to the window to pick up the food and pay the bill, the window attendant says “you don’t owe anything; the car three cars ahead of you paid for your food.” This is a beautiful thought and gift.
On another note, I doubt very many have received a letter from their bank saying that their mortgage or car loan was picked at random and has been paid in full by a benevolent person. Wouldn’t that be a tremendous gift?
Neither of the above examples would be earned or merited. They are, or would be unmerited mercy and grace.
When we think about God’s love for us, we have to acknowledge His mercy and grace. Also, His patience and forgiveness.
When He created mankind, He knew that we would sin.
Romans 3:23-25 NIV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[a] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith…
He could have made us robots, but He wanted us to love Him by choice.
God cannot tolerate or be associated with sin. Because God is a just God, He would never turn a blind eye to sin either. Someone had to pay the sin debt.
Therefore, what would He do about our sin debt?
God would continue with His master plan, which was foreordained before the world was created. God would manifest Himself in human form in the divine person of Jesus Christ, the son of God.
On the cross of Calvary, the blood of our Lord would be shed so our sins could be forgiven. God tells us that without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:22 NIV
22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Hebrews 9:22 KJV
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
With this act of love, mercy and grace on the cross, the offer to forgive our sin debt was made.
However, we must accept this offer. We must accept God’s mercy and grace. We must accept the pardon that he wants to give us.
It sure is nice to reach the drive-up window and find that someone in the line ahead has paid for your order. Naturally, you can refuse the order at the window, saying you don’t accept charity, but no one does. Everyone accepts it as a kind and generous gesture. Many often are touched and pay for someone else who is behind them.
However, nothing given to us in this life compares with God paying paying our sin debt in full. God’s gift is free, but you have to accept it. You are redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Reconciliation with God and eternal life are yours for the taking, offered through love, mercy and grace.
1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
In closing, when Jesus cried from the cross "it is finished", God's plan was complete. The offer to pay your sin debt was made.
Let your faith and hope be in God.
Don't turn Him down.
RVH