I was recalling a testimony of a man in our congregation who had an outstanding balance on a doctor bill. This balance was a high price and he had low funds. There was no way he could pay in full. He made an arrangement to pay in monthly installments but that would fail as well. He simply could not pay!!! Then one day, out of the clear blue, a note from the doctor arrives in the mail. He feared opening it because of what he thought it would say. To his great surprise, the letter said that they understood he was having financial difficulties and had decided to erase the balance owed. He was clear. The account was settled. It was paid in full. And even more, the doctor extended the invitation for him to come back for future services. I ask all that read this: how often does that happen in our world today? Like me, many might say "not too often". This was truly an act of mercy and grace to one who could not fulfill his obligation.
The Almighty God has done exactly that and more for us. He has paid the debt that we could not fulfill. Our debt to Him was perfect righteousness. This was a debt that could not in any way be fulfilled by our goodness, our works, our will or strength. WE SIMPLY COULD NOT PAY!!! The One True God, the Creator of the Universe, extended to us His act of grace and mercy by sending the payment to us. What was the cost: The very life and blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus the Messiah. Jesus came into this world to die in our place. He died to secure the payment that would satisfy the Father. He atoned for you and I. It was the perfect Son for imperfect sinners.
In Luke chapter 7, Jesus was dining in the home of a Pharisee, one of the elite Jewish religious leaders. During that time, a woman considered a "sinner" and "unclean" by many had entered and began to weep at the feet of Jesus. Her tears washed his feet and she dried them with her hair. She worshipped Jesus by kissing his feet and anointing them with precious oil. Of course, the Pharisee was appalled by what he saw and began to question the character of Jesus. He also had condemned this woman in his heart. Jesus tells him a parable about two men who owed money to a moneylender. One man had owed much. One man owed little. Listen to what Jesus says about the moneylender and his dealing with the men. Verse 42 says "Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he CANCELED the debts of both". What an act of mercy! I can imagine the relief and joy in the heart of him who owed much.
We don’t have to imagine it-it can be a reality. This can be a reality experienced in your life. Sin has caused you to be in debt to the One who created you-Almighty God. All the good "works" and even religion will never satisfy your debt. He has already made payment for you- the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. What do you have to do to have YOUR account settled? Believe in the One who paid it for you-Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 says "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.". You can have the account with God settled today by simply turning to Him in repentance and believing that His Son Jesus went to the cross for you. Believe that His payment (sacrifice) was totally sufficient for you and then choose to follow Him. Then on that Day when we see our Lord, the righteous Judge face to face, He can look at you and say "Account settled-PAID IN FULL".
Submitted by Scott Bresee
(c) 2000 Sanctuary of Grace Ministries
Posted Dec. 7, 2000
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