These are tough times. Years of affluence, fuelled by greed and excessive credit, have left our economy in ruins. Many are now facing the consequences. Who would not welcome the offer; “All Your Debt Cleared – and Nothing to Pay”? Can I ask you to consider a debt that is owed by everyone? The Holy Bible tells us that we all owe a debt to our Creator, God. The debt is due because of our sin. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.
NOTHING HIDDEN
We cannot hide from God. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” Proverbs 15:3. He knows how we have lived our lives and declares “all the world … guilty before God” Romans 3:19. Sin must be paid for – “the wages of sin is death” Romans 6:23. The punishment for our sin is spiritual death – separation from God eternally.
NOTHING ACCUMULATED
Many prepare for the future by accumulating wealth. We have seen how easily all can be lost. Others prepare for eternity by accumulating good works, prayers, religious observances, etc. None of these can clear our debt of sin. God assesses our best efforts as “filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6.
NOTHING TO SAY
Jesus, in one of His parables, tells of a man who stood before a king and was asked why he did not accept a free provision from the king. The man was “speechless” – he had nothing to say Matthew 22:12. How sad to stand before God, having refused His offer, and have nothing to say.
NOTHING BETWEEN
Once we leave this life our eternal destiny is sealed. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” Hebrews 9:27. For those who reject God’s offer of salvation there will be eternal punishment Luke 16:24. There will be no way back and no opportunity to reach heaven! Between the two eternal destinies there will be “a great gulf fixed” Luke 16:26. Nothing between!
NOTHING TO PAY
Perhaps you ask, “What can I do to eradicate the debt of my sin”? Jesus told another parable in which two men had accumulated considerable debt. Their creditor was a gracious man. “When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both” Luke 7:42. So it is with God! Jesus Christ “bore our sins in His own body on the tree” 1 Peter 2:24. After His suffering, Jesus cried “It is Finished” John 19:30. These words could have been translated “Paid in Full”. He paid our debt and we have nothing to pay! We must accept His gift by faith – “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31.
NOTHING TO YOU?
Let me ask you the question asked by the Prophet in Lamentations 1:12, does it mean nothing to you that Christ has suffered to pay your debt to His Father, God? How can you expect God’s mercy if you reject His love?
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE
By accepting Jesus Christ as Saviour and receiving His gift of eternal life by faith, you will be eternally secure. “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16. Then nothing “shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:39. May you know this security today and know that nothing can separate you from God eternally.
What peace to know that “All your Debts are Cleared – and you had Nothing to Pay”.
