Someone Has To Pay The Penalty

Have you ever questioned whether the cross of Christ was necessary? After all, God sees the heart, why can’t he just forgive me if I’m truly sorry for my sins? Being sorry is good, but your sorrow cannot take away your sins. Justice always requires punishment.

My home was broken into once. Some of you have had worse happen. Suppose the offender was caught and sentenced. Later, sitting in prison, he reasoned, “If I turn in sincere repentance and sorrow to the judge and ask his forgiveness, why couldn’t he grant it?” Justice would demand he remain in his cell.

What about a Holy God? Shall we expect him to do less than an earthly judge and grant forgiveness simply because we ask? Surely hell will have those suffering the due punishment for their sins.

But, what about mercy you ask? First, someone has to pay the penalty.

Friend, approach the cursed cross now. See where Jesus suffered. Get a little closer — hear the Father say, “For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished” (Isaiah 53:8). Justice took place here. See the stained blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Mercy was here too.

Hear the declaration to those who believe!

“When you were dead in your sins God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins. You had a charge of legal indebtedness, which stood against you and condemned you. God canceled the charge and has taken it away, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).

Lord Jesus, I love you, and I thank you for paying the penalty for my sins, so I could be shown mercy and love. I know my sins have been cast as far away as the east is from the west.

Throughout This Day: Reflect on the cost that Jesus paid on the cross so that we can be forgiven for our sins and have a direct relationship with the Father.