preparations

I'm trying to mentally gear up for the coming Holiday. THE Holiday. The big one. The one to end all others. "It is finished."

Can you grasp that?

Wow. My debt is paid. Your debt is paid. All debt is paid. Just believe.

The best analogy I've heard thus far was one of girl. Before the Judge.

See this gal had a rough day. A really rough day. She drove her little car over a few mailboxes. Through a couple of stop signs and into a parked car. A police car.

Well her day in court came, and she stood before the Judge.

"How do you plead?"

"Guilty." She responds.

"Well, your actions have a consequence. There is a fine. A debt to be paid."

She nods. Readying.

"The fine including damages is $500,000.00." He tells her.

All watch as the Judge sets down His gavel. Steps down from His bench, pulls out His checkbook and begins to write a check. To pay the fine. For His daughter.

"WAIT!" She yells. "I don't accept that! I don't want you to pay for my actions."

"But you don't have the money." her lawyer quietly reminds her.

"I don't care! I reject His help. I will endure the punishment myself."

The Judge concedes. It is her decision to make. Hers to accept or reject. He nods knowingly towards the bailiff.

She is handcuffed and taken away. She will pay. With her life.

See, this is how it is....God has paid the price! All our actions have consequences. Our sins need to be redeemed. A debt needs to be paid. You can choose to accept the gift of God's grace, or you can reject it. You can allow Christ's death to atone for your sins, or you can pay for them yourself. With your life.

The choice is yours. Choose Life.