There is nothing like owing nothing. Think about that feeling of making that last payment on a large ticket item that you've had financed for years or figuring out a credit you had on a bill wiped out what you owed (at least for the coming month). I'm talking about the feeling of paying all the bills and actually still having some money in the bank. Not owing, or better yet not being indebted to someone else, is an amazing feeling - if only temporary.
There is something about owing something. Anyone with student loan debt, a mortgage, or medical bills can sure tell you about it if you don't know. It is a weight around your neck, a nagging feeling that creates pressure, and a painful reminder of the lack of freedom we have. It's even worse when you can't pay that debt. If you've never had to juggle payments, make decisions about which utility you can just live without, or never had the calls from bill collectors then you are living a blessed life. Owing someone else is a horrible feeling, especially if you can't pay.
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Last night, as usual I wandered into church for Wednesday supper. My wife always gets there first with my youngest daughter since I have to pick up the older one from piano practice on my way from work. When we walked in, the wonderful lady who collects for supper cost at the door takes one look at me and says, "You're already paid for." WHAT A WONDERFUL FEELING!
I took a moment to express to her my thought that this must be what Judgement will be like for a Christian. That as I wander into Heaven there will be Jesus smiling to say, "You're already paid for." And how sad it will be for someone to find themselves there without the ability to pay what is owed. Now this older lady who I've never had a serious conversation with lit up and we had a few minutes of genuine fellowship about and in the love and grace of Christ.
It's a simple line from an old hymn, but it rings true today and into eternity...
"I owed a debt I could not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe.
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay."
If you've never committed to Christ by telling Him you accept Him as Lord of your life and Savior of your soul, then you need to know that payment is coming due and you are already overdrawn. You can't be good enough, you can't do enough of the right things, and you can't overcome the sin of your life which is due for judgement against you. I know nobody likes collection notices and calls like this, but I'm just the representative making you aware of your obligations. Just remember, you can't pay the price and don't need to. He already paid, you just need to accept that gracious gift and follow Him. Think of it as settlement offer that you'd be a complete fool not to at least consider.
Even as a believer, if you are not living a life based on the grace and mercy of Christ's acceptance and conquering of your sin by the cross, then you likely feel the weight of that debt even though it is already paid. Are you trying to pay when someone else already paid for you? Doesn't matter if you're 'saved', baptized, ordained, or even beatified - if you are still living this life based on your own merit and trying to pay some price, be assured you are going to suffer severely through your own infirmities of pride, fear, impatience, frustration, etc... The grace of the Gospel and mercy of Christ's sacrifice to relieve the consequence of judgement is not a one time stop-gap measure to yank you from the flames so you can go right on doing your own thing for yourself. It is a continuous ongoing work in the life of the believer that requires only one thing, constant reliance on that grace.
Try this out this week, as a believer be reminded constantly - "You're already paid for." There is a freedom here that is beyond belief. It is not about neglecting responsibilities or walking around empty hearted / empty headed, it is about knowing that our labor and efforts are not about us. The Christian life is not about marking points on some board in Heaven to get a better seat at the table closer to Christ. It is about living in the grace of Christ to know God better through worship and prayer. Our motivation to action of any kind ought to arise out of genuine Spirit driven compassion that there are in fact family, friends, co-workers, acquittances, and strangers around us that are still trying to pay for themselves unnecessarily and ineffectively to their own loss and pain (potentially eternally so.). We can't pay the price for them either, but we do know who has and we should be making that introduction at every opportunity.
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