PAID IN FULL!

Jack is a young man who found himself in debt. It wasn't necessarily something he accumulated but it was passed down to him through an inheritance. As much as He tried to get rid of it, it didn't seem like the debt was going down. He was going to have to pay with his life, by becoming a slave to the creditor if he was unable to meet the conditions of the debt.

One day, his creditor took him to court. Jack was already defeated and was prepared for the worst punishment the judge would pass down to Him. Even though it was no fault of his, he was guilty by His bloodline inheritance. As he waited for the judge to make his pronouncement, he heard instead, "Paid in full". Jack couldn't believe His ears. Who paid? How? Why? The judge pointed to a man in the corner, He paid all your debts. So there's no need to keep struggling to meet up. You have two options now, accept this payment and all your debts will be forgiven. Or decline and you will have to keep struggling to meet up with the debts and it's impossible conditions.

Jack thought about it long and hard. He was tired of never meeting up no matter how hard he tried. Even though he did not know this man, the man was willing to help him and save him from the mess He was in. He decided to accept the payment and also to get to know the man who paid off his debt in full.

Does Jack's story remind you of something? Or someone? His story is exactly like yours and mine. By no fault of ours, we inherited sin when Adam and Eve sinned against God. It became a part of our inheritance when we are born into this world. And no matter how good we are, our goodness cannot pay the debt for sin. We never really measure up on our own. God brought about a solution. Only a person who has never sinned can pay the debt. So what does he do, he comes into the world as a man, born of a virgin so that he bypasses the sinful inheritance, He lives a pure sinless life as an example for us and in order to satisfy the conditions for the debt, and then He is crucified on a cross for us, as payment for our sins. That is, a sinless man, became sin for the world in order to repay their debt.

Just like the judge, our Heavenly Father, the God in Heaven is inviting us to accept the payment for this sin by receiving Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. That is the only way we can have a true relationship with God. That is the only way we can live a full life. Jesus said in John 14:6 , “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

If you are burdened and feel like life is weighing you down, even if you have achieved all success and you still feel empty on the inside, this is an invitation to know Jesus. He calls to us in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

His invitation is for everyone and not for a select few - John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Don't delay, He doesn't need you to be perfect. But He will take what you bring and change your life in ways that only He can. So come!

To place your trust in God; accept Jesus Christ alone as your Savior. Pray this simple prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to find peace with God. I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. I receive your peace and unending love. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.

If you have made a decision to embrace God’s love and want to talk to someone, send an email to: nextstepsab@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below. We will love to pray for you and help you on your new journey.