Devotion by Mike Geiger originally published: July 20, 2011 on www.whataboutjesus.com
For this week’s Sermon from Cross & Crown (CLICK HERE)
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Reconciled!
When I use my Quicken financial software, I have an option every month when a bank or credit card statement comes to “reconcile” my account. The process is intended to insure that the credits and debits that the banking institution have recorded are in harmony with the records I have entered. Should there be a conflict, I need to do something to find out where the conflict is and seek to resolve it.
When reconciling a financial account, it’s always nice to find a “credit” that you had forgotten to enter. Finding an unentered “debit” can be frustrating and financially challenging if it was a large expense.
Have you ever considered how your life would be reconciled with God’s record? You may have a list in your mind of all the good things you’ve done…credits. If you’re honest with yourself you will also remember a list of debits, or the wrong things you have done. How close would your accounting be to God’s accounting of your life?
If you are like most of humanity, you would like to think the “credits” far outweigh the “debits.” Unfortunately, if God showed you your statement, you would be overwhelmed to realize you had far more debits to your account than you would ever be able to offset with good work credits.
How would you reconcile with God?
Before you even need to answer that question, God says to you, “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5:10-11).
Your “debits” of sin have been completely offset by the complete “credit” Christ has paid on the cross for you. Take time today to thank God for completely reconciling your account through Jesus Christ!
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your unconditional love that took my debt of sin and covered it with your precious blood. Lead me to always live a life that shows gratitude to you for reconciling my account before God my Father. AMEN