"Bureaucratic Red Tape"

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43 NIV).

I am sure that as you read the title for today’s issue of Morning Devotional you may have been tempted to think that I was about to step over into politics. As much as I might like to do that from time to time, this is not one of them. So, let me start at the beginning so you will have a little context. I am writing this issue on Friday for tonight’s mailing and it has been quite an eventful day. It started with another round of working with my computer to free up some memory. I am not a tech person and that is always a challenge, however I may have put a band aid on it and it seems to be working better. Then my schedule started to compress a bit. I had a pretty long list of details to take care of for the day. Some were benign and others essential to the future of Grace Restoration Ministries.

One of those essentials was to get a bank account established in GRM’s name so that I can begin to receive money from various sources to support the ministry. How hard could that be? Well, as it turns out it was an all afternoon affair as I went from office to office in two cities to get the necessary documentation and licenses I needed to make a deposit! It seems that I needed a license from both the city and county in which I live to declare the “business” in operation. And, I needed the appropriate federal designations and ID numbers to prove that we are duly registered with the state of Tennessee and the IRS. I did think several times that perhaps George Orwell’s 1984 was unfolding before my eyes! I did it done, but it cut into my schedule significantly. By the time I dotted all the “i’s” and crossed all the “t’s” it was three and a half hours later! My first thought was that was a lot of bureaucratic red tape! And my second thought was how glad I am that it’s a lot easier to get into heaven than opening a business bank account!

Then I remembered the penitent thief on the cross next to Jesus. Don’t misunderstand. It is not easy or simple to gain eternal life. It is difficult and costly. But Jesus has already done all that needs to be done and paid all that needs to be paid on our behalf. He has opened an account in our name that is brim-full and overflowing with grace. Further it never needs to be replenished. We can draw from it anytime and as much as we need or want! That’s what the Apostle Paul meant when he said he had discovered the “unsearchable riches in Christ.” No wonder John Bunyan called it “Amazing Grace.” It truly is! My challenge to you today is to believe and practice the life of divine royalty, for so you are when you receive His gift of eternal life. If you have not trusted yourself to Him you can right now. There is no need to wait a moment. His promise to you is the same as that thief… TODAY you will be with Me in Paradise! No red tape in that promise!