Devotion #5: Your Debt Has Been Paid

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭11‬ ‭‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 

Imagine you are shopping for a car at a car dealership. You have that specific car picked out in your brain. You have imagined the color, make, and number of doors it has. You arrive at your appointment to meet with the agent who is there to help you and your car dreams. The agent tells you they have your car. In fact, they have two of the cars you want. The first option is in mint condition. It has a shine to it that perfectly enhances the color. It has the amount of doors you wanted, plus an extra cup holder on the inside of each door. It is brand new, has no miles, and is a good price; it is great! The second option, however, is used. It is high on miles, and the color is a little faded. It has a scuff on the side, and one of the headlights does not work. It is a fixer-upper and still costs a fortune! Obviously, it is not the best option of the two. 

I am just going to say that for most of us, we would easily have paid the wage for the first car, no doubt about it. Not even a second thought would have crossed our minds. It is the one that is upright and has less damage. The first option is good compared to the second which is bad. The second one has too much history on it, looks banged up, and costs way too much. 

Now, let us change this scenario and make the cars people. Instead of you paying the wage for the car, it is Jesus paying the debt of your sin. No matter how morally upright you are, how good you look, or how much you have sinned, Jesus paid the debt for all. There is no matter of comparison in this situation either because Jesus bought the debt for all. We have a God who loves us so much that even though we have sinned and turned away from Him, He still made a way for us to spend eternity with Him through His son, Christ Jesus.  

Romans 5:7-8 says, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The Apostle ‭Paul, the author of Romans, reminds us that people have uncommonly sacrificed themselves for other people who seemed righteous (righteous, meaning someone who is morally upright). Paul also says that people have sacrificed themselves for someone who is a good person. However, the truth is that Jesus is the one true, righteous, and good person. For Him to sacrifice Himself for us is a huge blessing. We are so damaged, our debt is death. We are broken and cannot fix ourselves. However, the Lord who is righteous sees us, loves us, and paid that very debt for us. How amazing is that? God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to pay a price that was not even His to pay. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ 

Everyone has been offered the free gift of salvation. There is not a sin that can override Jesus’ sacrifice or forgiveness. We all have been made clean through His sacrifice and blood. I want to encourage those reading this today that the Lord did not come to condemn you for your sin but to save you. If you have been struggling with a sin, bring it to the Lord today. Spend time in prayer with your Savior who loves you and has paid your debt for you.