Daryl Pint – Page 8 – Praying Pint

Endruing Word – Devotion

When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” (Genesis 19:15)

God sent two angels to Sodom to inspect the city and to remove Abraham’s nephew Lot and his family before the Lord’s judgment came.

One significant reason the judgment of God was coming against Sodom and Gomorrah was because of their depraved sexual immorality, which included homosexuality (Genesis 19:4-5). In Ezekiel 16, God later condemned and rebuked the great sin of Judah in the latter days of the divided monarchy. God compared Jerusalem to the ancient city of Sodom, saying they were like sisters.

Ezekiel 16:48-50 describes some of those shared sins: pride, idleness, and injustice to the poor. Yet, those were not the only sins of Sodom that made them targets of judgment. Instead, those were the sins of Sodom also shared by her later “sister” Jerusalem. The Genesis text makes it plain that God was also grieved by their sexual violence and immorality, which is included Ezekiel’s list of sins under the words committed abomination(Ezekiel 16:50). In addition, Jude 1:7 clearly states that sexual immorality was one of the sins God noted at Sodom and Gomorrah, connected to going “after strange flesh.” The open and approved practice of homosexuality was one of the many sins of Sodom, Gomorrah, and their neighbor cities.

The morning dawned on the day judgment would come, and the angels had to beg Lot and his family to leave the soon to be destroyed city. The only ones to escape would be Lot, his wife, and his two daughters. Lot’s sons-in-law would be left behind as the angels urged Lot to escape the coming destruction and judgment

In how they urged Lot, these angels may serve as a pattern of evangelism.

The angels went after Lot, going to him and his house. Believers might wish that sinners would come to them, and some will. But Jesus didn’t say, “Sit back in church and let sinners come to you.” Jesus told His disciples to go out to all nations, preaching the gospel and making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

The angels warned Lot of what was going to happen, and in plain words. Today, it’s common to mock the “hellfire and damnation preacher,” but there is an appropriate place to warn others of God’s coming wrath (Colossians 3:6). Evangelism can and should include warning.

The angels urged Lot, urging him to flee destruction. The angels didn’t make a lifeless appeal, saying “Come or don’t come, we really don’t care.” With great passion and urgency, they did all they could to persuade Lot and his family. Our evangelism should have a note of urgency and passion, working hard to persuade others for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:11).

Dear believer, let these three things mark your sharing of the gospel. When you find evangelists who do these things, support and encourage them.

Pathway to Victory – Devotion

The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God.

–Romans 14:22

This week, we’ve been looking at the problem of legalism in the Colossian church. Now let me point out two important principles from this passage for us today.

First of all, we ought to deal with other Christians on the basis of grace, not the law. Romans 14:13 says, “Let us not judge one another anymore.” In those areas the Bible is silent about, we are to quit judging other people. If you feel it’s wrong for you to drink alcohol or gamble, then I’m happy God has led you to that conviction. But don’t make your conviction somebody else’s command. We ought to deal with other people on the basis of grace.

Second, we need to differentiate between legalism and obedience. Somebody might read this passage and think, That means I’m free to do whatever I want to do because I’m under grace, not the law. No, we are to obey God’s commands. Even though the only Old Testament laws that apply to us today are the ones repeated in the New Testament, there are some rules we follow–not to earn our salvation but to merit God’s favor in our lives. God says if we follow His principles about morality, attitudes, and family, we’ll have better lives than if we disobey those principles.

We’re also to obey those whom God has placed in authority over us. For example, if you’re a teenager, don’t tell your parents, “Pastor Jeffress says it’s okay for me to have a can of beer.” Ephesians 6:1 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” If your parents say you can’t have alcohol, that means no alcohol.

We’re to obey governing authorities as well. Romans 13:1–2 says, “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. . . . Those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God.” In the United States, the law says you’re not to drink under the age of twenty-one. We are to submit to that authority. It is the same way with our spiritual leaders and our employers. Obeying God means obeying those who are in authority over us.

Remember this: grace is not the freedom to do what we want to do. Grace is the freedom to obey God out of love rather than fear. So many Christians are still living as slaves to sin and slaves to the law. If you’re a Christian, you are free from the burden of trying to earn God’s approval. Instead, you are free to serve God out of genuine appreciation for all He has done for you.

52.t. Wilderness – 16.z. ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’

Deu 29:16-21 “You know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed. And you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them. Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike. The LORD will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven. And the LORD will single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.

Those who have been enabled to consent to the Lord’s new covenant of mercy and grace in Jesus Christ, and to give up themselves to be his people, should embrace every opportunity of renewing their open profession of relation to him, and their obligation to him, as the God of salvation, walking according thereto. The sinner is described as one whose heart turns away from his God; there the mischief begins, in the evil heart of unbelief, which inclines men to depart from the living God to dead idols. Even to this sin men are now tempted, when drawn aside by their own lusts and fancies. Such men are roots that bear gall and wormwood. They are weeds which, if let alone, overspread the whole field. Satan may for a time disguise this bitter morsel, so that thou shalt not have the natural taste of it, but at the last day, if not before, the true taste shall be discerned. Notice the sinner’s security in sin. Though he hears the words of the curse, yet even then he thinks himself safe from the wrath of God. There is scarcely a threatening in all the book of God more dreadful than this. Oh that presumptuous sinners would read it, and tremble! for it is a real declaration of the wrath of God, against ungodliness and unrighteousness of man. (Henry)

It was of the greatest consequence thus to reach the heart and conscience of everyone, for some might delude themselves with the vain idea that by taking the oath (De 29:12) by which they engaged themselves in covenant with God, they would surely secure its blessings. Then, even though they would not rigidly adhere to His worship and commands, but would follow the devices and inclinations of their own hearts, yet they would think that He would wink at such liberties and not punish them. It was of the greatest consequence to impress all with the strong and abiding conviction, that while the covenant of grace had special blessings belonging to it, it at the same time had curses in reserve for transgressors, the infliction of which would be as certain, as lasting and severe. (Brown)

The summons to renew the covenant is enforced by a fresh exposition of the evil and danger of apostasy from the Lord. This is introduced by a reference to the experience which the people already had of idolatry in Egypt, and among the nations with whom they had come in contact during their march through the wilderness, from which they must have learned the utter worthlessness of all idols, that they were no gods, but only wood and stone. (Unkown)

Don’t be swayed or influenced by those around you who give no thought or concern to God. Their freedom to sin without regard seems to be freedom to do that which is pleasing in their own eyes and they proclaim great reward from it. It would appear there is no consequence to them for these outrageous sins. Satan has filled their hearts and minds with lies and they are poisonous. Look around and see the confusion that is finding its way into the hearts and minds of those who should not be infected with these poisonous thoughts. Abortion and reproductive rights, pornography, LGBQT pride, laziness, fatherless, divorce, lack of support for Israel, etc…… “And though they know God, because He has placed it within their heart to know Him, they intentionally choose to defy and disregard Him. They are without excuse.” These should never find a place to root and grow in our hearts and minds. Tolerance has found its way to become acceptable rather than detestable. Confusion about these blatant sins against God shows the utter lack of love and fear of God. Putting lipstick on a pig does nothing to make the pig beautiful.

Neglect of God’s Word in our lives will gradually be filled with that which the culture around us accepts as right. Just because it is acceptable to many does not make it right. Think about how many times Paul sent letters to churches admonishing them for letting the world influence them through craftiness and persuasive words. When we ought to discern these words and actions through the knowledge of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading, we are not.

We think a little Christian music here, a little sermon there, and a prayer before meals – we’re all good. When in fact our souls are starving to death because of the famine of God’s Word in our lives.

Oh that we would hunger and thirst for His Word much more than we hunger and thirst for what is posted on social media or what sports team to watch.

52.s. Wilderness – 16.y. “That he may establish you today as his people”

Deu 29:10-15 “You are standing today, all of you, before the LORD your God: the heads of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the sojourner who is in your camp, from the one who chops your wood to the one who draws your water, so that you may enter into the sworn covenant of the LORD your God, which the LORD your God is making with you today, that he may establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he promised you, and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. It is not with you alone that I am making this sworn covenant, but with whoever is standing here with us today before the LORD our God, and with whoever is not here with us today.

The national covenant made with Israel, not only typified the covenant of grace made with true believers, but also represented the outward dispensation of the gospel. Those who have been enabled to consent to the Lord’s new covenant of mercy and grace in Jesus Christ, and to give up themselves to be his people, should embrace every opportunity of renewing their open profession of relation to him, and their obligation to him, as the God of salvation, walking according thereto. (Henry)

None of them were allowed to consider themselves as exempt from the terms of that national compact, lest any lapsing into idolatry might prove a root of bitterness, spreading its noxious seed and corrupt influence all around. (Brown)

“To-day,” when the covenant-law and covenant-right were laid before them, the whole nation stood before the Lord without a single exception to enter inwardly, to make the covenant an affair of their heart and life.. (Keil)

There is no limit to the blessing of following Jehovah and keeping His word. It is open to all, from the highest to the lowest, to take hold of His covenant. (Elliott)

Fast forward to when Joshua was leading in battle of Jericho and they were told to destroy everything because of its great sin. Achan took some of the plunder and because of this sin God’s blessing of victory over the nations they were battling was absent. The sin of one had an affect on the whole. The whole nation of Israel stood in covenant with God. God’s covenant with the whole did not allow for willful disobedience of one. Achan was called out and his sin exposed that caused the break in the covenant with God. Achan and his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had. After they had stoned they burned them.

God’s fierce anger was released on them for the sin of one. Sin, our sin(s), have an effect on not only us individually, but others as well. We may think that to be the case but it is true. Greed, lust, hate, anger, pride, unkindness, lies, gossiping, backbiting, etc…… all have an affect on others, not to mention the disregard for God.

How many of us would be deserving of being stoned, save for the grace, mercy, and love of God? We do well to live with hearts and minds that honor and glorify Jesus Christ for the great grace, mercy, and love of God.

Pathway to Victory – Devotion

The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

–Galatians 3:24

What’s the cure for legalism? How do you solve the problem of legalism in your own life or in the church?

In Colossians 2:17, Paul gave two answers to legalism. He wrote that food, drink, festivals, and special days “are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”

The first answer to legalism is understanding the law. Paul said the Old Testament law was “a mere shadow.” The shadow of something is always inferior to the object of the shadow, isn’t it? That’s true of the law. The law was an imperfect representation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The purpose of the law was not to make people holy–nobody became perfect by keeping the law because nobody could keep the law. Instead, James said the law was like a mirror we look into to see how dirty we are (James 1:23–24). And Paul said, “The Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

The purpose of the law was to bring us to Christ, the only one who can make us clean, but it was an imperfect representation of Christ. We need to understand the limitations of the law. It was simply a shadow of what was yet to come.

The first answer to legalism is understanding the law, and the second answer is understanding Christ. Paul said in Colossians 2:17 that the law is a shadow, but “the substance belongs to Christ.”

Let me illustrate that for you. Let’s say you come home from work one day, and as you’re walking up the sidewalk to your front door, your mate and your children run out to greet you. But instead of hugging and kissing you, they hug and kiss the shadow you’re casting on the sidewalk. They’re on the ground embracing your shadow while you’re standing there by yourself.

Wouldn’t that be ridiculous? Why would they hug your shadow rather than hugging you? You are the real person; the shadow is an imperfect representation of you. But that’s what Paul was saying: the law was simply a shadow of Jesus Christ, an imperfect representation. Now that Christ is here and we have wrapped ourselves in His righteousness, why would we ever go back to depending on that imperfect shadow? That’s the cure to legalism: understanding that the law is a shadow, but Christ is the substance.

Turning Point – Devotion

You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
James 4:2

How many times have we heard or said these words: “All you had to do was ask”? What keeps us from asking? Fear of being denied, not wanting to impose or intrude, or thinking we are asking for too much?

The apostle James pointed out the same irony in his epistle: “You do not have because you do not ask.” In his case, his words were a rebuke to his readers because they were using carnal means for getting what they wanted or needed instead of asking God (James 4:1-2). And when they did ask, God didn’t provide because their motives in asking were worldly (James 4:3). Jesus talked about asking God in a more positive light: “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you…. For everyone who asks receives” (Luke 11:9-10). And don’t just ask once; the Greek form of “ask” is literally “keep on asking.”

If you need something today, bring your request to God—with confidence you will receive His answer (Hebrews 4:16).

Most Christians expect little from God, ask little, and therefore receive little, and are content with little.

This concept is both easy and hard for me. God knows what I need, when I need it, and how much I need of it. God knows! And yet, Scripture tells us we do not have because we do not ask. We don’t want to ask for that which is not in line with God’s purpose and plan for our lives. However, we don’t know God’s exact purposes and plans for us today save whatever we do in thought, words, and actions we do for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. When it comes to worldly possessions (a house, car, appliances, and other stuff I think it is ok to ask God about it and then open your hearts and minds to how the Holy Spirit will speak to you about it. It is good for us to ask and wait and listen and see God’s hand in it. We should ask with a heart that leaves room for God’s plans and purposes for our lives. “God, I am thinking and would like to have or need ????. I do not want to ask this outside of your will. Give me eyes to see and a heart of understanding in this matter and I will be content with what You do and how You do it.”

When it comes to matters of financial, relational, and physical health, of course, these are matters and concerns we should bring before our Lord God. We are concerned about our needs or the needs of others and it is very good for us to seek our All-Powerful God. In this seeking and asking we are communicating with our heavenly Father. It keeps us ever mindful of His presence, it honors Him, it builds our faith, and it gives us peace to have it in the hands of God.

When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, on the third day in the wilderness, they grumbled about the need for water and food. They saw all that God had done to get them to this beginning of their exodus and yet they said it would be better to return to Egypt than die out here. They did not ask God for water and food. They grumbled. How much better would it have been to ask? “Dear God, You are awesome in power and might. You are the Creator of all there is. We seek Your help and supply of water and food and thank you in advance for what you will do and wait to see your mighty hand at work.”

I think the problem with asking for things from God has to do with when we prosper or lack much. Do we go shopping and ask God to lead us on our thoughts and show us how to spend wisely? Do we ask to see the specials? Do we ask to limit our purchases to essentials and not be tempted to buy what we don’t need? Do we ask to be led to purchase something to be given away to someone in need?

We do well to desire to be in communion with God at all times and for all reasons. Choosing to be in the presence of God at all times will affect our lives in ways that honor and glorify Jesus Christ. Choosing to go about your days and weeks with little to no desire for the presence of God will also affect our lives and leave us void of purpose and satisfaction.

Will Graham – Devotion

Hebrews 3:7-11

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

Frankly, turning your heart away from Jesus has very real implications not just for eternity, but for your life here on earth as well. If you look at Hebrews 3:7-19, you’ll see four serious consequences of turning your back on Christ.

Each consequence is actually a step in a progression leading you further and further from God:

Step 1

Separation from God (v. 12). God is truth, and when we fail to believe truth, then we follow a lie. And a lie—by its nature—is separate from the truth. In a very real sense, our sin separates us from God.

Step 2

We fall victim to sin (v. 13). As we allow sin to separate us from God, we begin to fall victim to the “deceitfulness of sin.” Simply stated, sin is tricky. Sin masks itself and never presents itself as it truly is. Because we are separated from Christ, our hearts become cold and we allow ourselves to be deceived by sin.

Step 3

Our hearts grow hard (v. 15). As sin’s poison cuts to our soul, our hearts—which may have once been soft and tender—become spiritually calloused, like hard, dead skin. When we allow ourselves to be deceived by sin over and over again, and we wander far from God, we are no longer able to sense His prompting or guidance in our lives.

Step 4

We become rebellious against God (v.15). When we allow our calloused hearts to go unchecked, embracing sin rather than being convicted of it, we are actually in a state of rebellion against God (v. 15). This rebellious heart causes us to further sin against God, and God will not tolerate it. The result is spiritual death.

You see, my friends, there are ramifications and consequences for our disobedience to Christ, both in this world and in eternity. But there’s Good News! You don’t have to live a life of callousness and rebellion. We serve a God of second chances, and even today your heart can be softened. Regardless of where you’ve been or what you’ve done, you can surrender your life over to Him and begin a relationship with Jesus. He’s ready to welcome you with open arms!

Turning Point – Devotion

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Toddlers love to launch out on walks by themselves. They walk ahead of their parent without looking back—except when they do look back. Without fail a toddler will glance backward or even stop and turn around as if to say, “Are you still with me?” Once assured of the parent’s presence, he forges ahead.

We are like toddlers in that we need to be assured of God’s presence, especially during difficult times. We can’t turn around and see Him, but we can read the promises of His presence in Scripture. When the Israelites were about to invade the Promised Land, Moses assured them that God would be with them (Deuteronomy 31:6). The psalmist David wrote that God was with him even in “the valley of the shadow of death” where “goodness and mercy” were always following him (Psalm 23:4, 6). And Jesus said, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

You are never alone if you belong to Christ. He is there to share your burdens and guide your steps.

I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light.

How many times do we walk alone each day without giving a single thought to the presence of God, listening for the Holy Spirit’s leading, or being concerned with honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ in all our thoughts, words, and actions?

We may be thinking about not doing something or doing something that seems right in our own eyes for the purpose of being made right before God. In some way, we think we can do enough good or not do enough bad to help out our standing before God.

We are justified, cleansed, purified, adopted, born again, made new, and filled with the gift of the Holy Spirit by and through Jesus Christ’s death on the cross for our sins. We can’t add to this. This free gift is by God’s grace, mercy, and love. We can easily agree to this, yet we attempt to add to our worth before God by what we do or not do.

I think the root cause of this has to do with being neglectful and complacent with God’s Word and conversely mindful of our purpose on this side of eternity, to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all thoughts, words, and actions. This lukewarm path makes the light of justification in Jesus Christ grow dimmer and dimmer to the point where we think we need to add to it. Not only does this light grow dimmer, but the sanctifying growth in our lives by and through the Holy Spirit’s leading fades into nonexistence. Self-examination without the influence of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit will lead us to think about doing or not doing certain things as a means to being more worthy of being justified before God.

If we are to walk in the presence of God, let us keep our eyes on Him. Let us read His Word with desire and hunger to know more and more about His grace, mercy, and love. Let us grow in this understanding and learn to discern the quiet whispers of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Let us purpose deep within our hearts and minds to honor and glorify Jesus Christ in all thoughts. words, and actions.

“Enter through the narrow gate”

Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Ephesians 2:2-3    in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—  among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Psalms 14:2-3     The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.  They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

Isaiah 1:9     If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Jesus did not speak of this gate as our destiny, but as the entrance to a path. There is a right way and a wrong way, and Jesus appealed to His listeners to decide to go the more difficult way, which leads to life. He understood and taught that not all ways and not all destinations are equally good. One leads to destruction, the other to life. The true gate is both narrow and difficult. If your road has a gate that is easy and well-traveled, you do well to watch out. (Guzik)

Christ came to teach us, not only what we are to know and believe, but what we are to do; not only toward God, but toward men; not only toward those of our party and persuasion, but toward men in general, all with whom we have to do. We must do that to our neighbour which we ourselves acknowledge to be fit and reasonable. We must, in our dealings with men, suppose ourselves in the same case and circumstances with those we have to do with, and act accordingly. There are but two ways right and wrong, good and evil; the way to heaven and the way to hell; in the one or other of these all are walking: there is no middle place hereafter, no middle way now. All the children of men are saints or sinners, godly or ungodly. See concerning the way of sin and sinners, that the gate is wide, and stands open. You may go in at this gate with all your lusts about you; it gives no check to appetites or passions. It is a broad way; there are many paths in it; there is choice of sinful ways. There is a large company in this way. But what profit is there in being willing to go to hell with others, because they will not go to heaven with us? The way to eternal life is narrow. We are not in heaven as soon as we are got through the strait gate. Self must be denied, the body kept under, and corruptions mortified. Daily temptations must be resisted; duties must be done. We must watch in all things, and walk with care; and we must go through much tribulation. And yet this way should invite us all; it leads to life: to present comfort in the favour of God, which is the life of the soul; to eternal bliss, the hope of which at the end of our way, should make all the difficulties of the road easy to us. This plain declaration of Christ has been disregarded by many who have taken pains to explain it away; but in all ages the real disciple of Christ has been looked on as a singular, unfashionable character; and all that have sided with the greater number, have gone on in the broad road to destruction. If we would serve God, we must be firm in our religion. Can we often hear of the strait gate and the narrow way, and how few there are that find it, without being in pain for ourselves, or considering whether we are entered on the narrow way, and what progress we are making in it? (Henry)

For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction; so that the one may be easily known from the other. There is no difficulty in finding out, or entering in at, or walking in the way of sin, which leads to eternal ruin. The gate of carnal lusts, and worldly pleasures, stands wide open,

and many there be which go in thereat; even all men in a state of nature; the way of the ungodly is “broad”, smooth, easy, and every way agreeable to the flesh; it takes in a large compass of vices, and has in it abundance of company; but its end is destruction.(Gill)

Pathway to Victory – Devotion

[God] canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

–Colossians 2:14

In New York City, there’s a huge display called the National Debt Clock. It calculates our national debt in real time ($34 trillion and counting, as of this writing). You can stand there and watch our national debt increase every second. The Bible says each of us is indebted like that to God–not for money but for the payment of our sins. Romans 2:5 says we are “storing up wrath for [ourselves] in the day of wrath.” Every time we sin, we add to our obligation to God.

But by God’s grace, we are debt-free. Look at Colossians 2:14: “[God] canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

Imagine you owed a debt of $34 trillion with interest compounded daily. The person you’re indebted to says, “The debt has to be paid, but I have good news: my son will pay your debt in full if you allow him to.” Would you puff up with pride and refuse the offer, determined to pay off the debt yourself? You would die still in debt. Your only hope would be to accept the payment the son was willing to make for you.

One day, the debt we owe to God is going to have to be paid. We can say, “God, I don’t need Your Son to pay my debt for me. I will pay for it myself.” If we reject the grace of God, then we will die in debt and spend eternity in hell trying to pay off that debt ourselves. Or we can accept the payment that’s been made through Christ Jesus.

When Jesus was nailed to the cross, there was a sign placed above his head that read “King of the Jews” (John 19:19). That was the offense He committed, at least in human terms–Jesus claimed to be the Messiah, the King of the Jews. But there was another placard on that cross: a certificate of debt listing not the offenses of Jesus but the offenses of you and me. Who nailed that placard to the cross of Jesus Christ? Colossians 2:14 says it was God. He “canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, . . . having nailed it to the cross.”

When Jesus died, He died not for His sins but for our sins. In the final moments of His earthly life, Jesus cried out, “It is finished!”–literally, “paid in full” (John 19:30). By God’s grace, Christ has paid your sin debt in full.