“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1)
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages that He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God – not by works…” (Ephesians 2:6-8)
“When you were dead in your sins…God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…He took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:13-15)
“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18, 19)
During this season of Lent we are reminded of the cost of our salvation and the forgiveness that God has made available to us. Yes, our forgiveness cannot be earned or bought by us at any price. We were in debt beyond our means. But, our freedom from that debt of sin…the forgiveness that we are freely offered came at great cost.
Today as we pray for the forgiveness of our sin let’s remember the One who paid the price for our redemption. Let’s meditate on that weekend 2000 years ago when our Savior took upon Himself our sin and was crucified for us…in our place. He paid the debt that we could not pay so that we could come to God “free and clear”. He shed His precious blood as a demonstration of His love for us and to clear the way for us to be reconciled to God.
Yes, our salvation is offered to us free of charge. We can do nothing to earn it. We have nothing to offer God that can pay for it. It is “by grace” that we receive thiis mercy, as the Scripture above states, but…this grace…this spectacular forgiveness and restoration came at great cost. Make no mistake about it. When we come to God must bow before Him in humble gratitude for such a marvelous gift.
Think about the cross today. It is what Jesus did so that you could be forgiven. His “precious blood” was shed for you. Thank Him today.