One of the great joys of being of Christian
is that our Lord invites us into a relationship with Him. He has begun
this by taking humanity upon Himself and entering into our hurting world
with the power to save and the love to pay the penalty for sin.
Christianity teaches that we cannot earn, nor do we
deserve salvation. There is nothing we could do in the form of good deeds that
stand before a holy, righteous, and just God (Isaiah 64:6). But in mercy and
love, God came in the person of Jesus Christ to be our Savior. He brings peace
and union with God as a free gift -- unconditionally given to all who put there
hope and trust in Jesus Christ as God and Lord. (John 3:16).
"Too easy!" "We’ve got to DO something," you
might say -- and that’s certainly how it works in the business world. We get
what we earn. But what if you owed so much that you had no hope of every paying
it back? What would you do then? Jesus tells this story:
23 "Therefore,
the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts
with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a man who
owed him ten thousand talents (millions of dollars) was brought to
him. 25 Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that
he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay
the debt. 26 "The servant fell on his knees before him.
'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27 The
servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
Matt 18:23-27 (NIV)
If the Bible is right and we have a debt we cannot pay, then thank God
that He chose to share His riches with those who are humble and seek
His mercy, placing their trust and hope in Him. Love is a gift -- we
do not earn it (that would be wages) -- it is always freely given. (Ephesians
2:8-9)