Debt

I know that the title of this devotional puts most people a little on edge. However, there is a debt that everyone owes and no one can pay. It is that debt that I want to focus your attention on this morning. Warren Kramer wrote the following story several years ago: Hugh stormed into the bank with fire in his eyes. Demanding to see the Bank President, he pushed past the protesting secretary and slammed open the door. "Why wasn't I told about this huge debt?" Hugh demanded, before he even bothered to notice the unflustered face of the remarkably composed man behind the desk. "You have been notified," the President replied calmly, "many times in fact. I can't tell you how pleased I am that you've finally chosen to set things right." Taken aback, Hugh's tone was different now. "But how can I ever repay such a huge debt?" He asked. "You can't. No one can." "You mean others have the same debt?" "Everyone has the debt." "Then if everyone has this debt and no one can pay, how can the Bank survive?" "There is One Who has paid the debt for anyone who wants to be forgiven. Your Notices also clearly explain this." Replied the President. "Why then do you not just forgive all debts?" Asked Hugh. "How can we forgive the debt of those who will not even admit it exists?" Answered the President. "Some continue to send payments despite our Notices that the debt has been paid. Others simply ignore the debt." As he realized that his debt was forgiven, a lifetime of anxiety began to crumble, leaving only a profound joy in Hugh's heart. "How can we let people know their debts are paid if they won't read your Notices?" He asked cheerfully. "We rely on those, like yourself, who have admitted to the debt and been forgiven to spread the word." "Then that's what I'll do!" Beamed Hugh, bounding out of the office. "Thank you!" He added, over his shoulder. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome this principle: Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 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 5:1-11 ESV). Trust Him and rejoice that your debt has been paid in full!