Your Debt has been Paid
Today’s students are graduating with debts from $200,000 - $400,000. I still remember the day that I wrote that last check to pay off all of my college debt. I received a letter in the mail that said, “Paid in full.” As hard as I worked to make all of that money necessary to get rid of that loan, it’s unimaginable to think that someone would have stepped in and just paid it for me.
The term “Bankruptcy” would create an emotional reaction for about all of us. We think about the damage to our credit, the embarrassment, the legal pressures, and the endless negotiating that will follow.
Jesus told the story of a debtor who was bankrupt. He just couldn't pay. But in Jesus time, there were no Chapter 11 laws. If you couldn't pay, you went to prison and everything you had, including your wife and children, were sold to pay the debt. In Jesus' story, this debtor goes to the king and pleads for mercy. And, amazingly, the king sets aside the entire debt. That is the Greek word for "reconcile" – katallasso. This verse tells us that the debt has been completely taken care of. There are no strings attached. It is over and done with.
2 Corinthians 5:18 states, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: AS GOD’S CO-WORKERS..”
The term “reconciliation” is more than getting rid of a debt. Allasso is a verb that means to transform something or to change from what is worse to what is better. It is also used for the idea of exchanging one thing for another.
When someone files for bankruptcy, they set aside the collection of the debts they owe. They still owe them but the law prevents the creditors from collecting. That is not how God works. God transforms our terrible debtor condition into something much better – the state of being completely forgiven. How can He do this? He pays the debt for us. It is fully satisfied. He exchanges the life of His Son for our lives. Reconciliation from God is the act of actually paying the price for me. Jesus paid your debt. He took care of all the creditors.
The verse goes on to call us “Co-workers.” After opening up my clinic, I was able to pay off $100s of 1000s of debt in only 90 days. I believe it was as God’s co-worker. I served Him by saving lives and glorifying Him in their healing. It’s a satisfying honor to serve Him this way.
If the endeavor doesn’t glorify God, it’s not a worthwhile endeavor. By boldly and faithfully serving Him at all costs, He cancelled both my eternal debts along with my college ones. He’s an awesome God.
With God, all things are possible
Dr. Ben