Infinitly indebted to God and grateful

Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson in their book, Counsel from the Cross, ask this question in relation to how we view God's love.

"What make me acceptable to him?"1

To help us then understand that our works won't get us there, that it is not about being good enough, later this quote struck my heart,

"Are you trying to avoid the truth that all you can bring to him [God] is debt that must be paid for by another?"2

Everything I do creates debt with God. Whether it is my sin that taints my good works or that next breath where I don't acknowledge the Lord for the gift He has provided, my life accumulates debt with God everyday.

In talking about this with a friend too, it isn't that some days I build up less debt that others because I have read my Bible or gone to church or prayed a little longer. No, my life, my conscious existence creates debt.

But what seems like horrible news is actually great news because through Jesus not only is my debt cancelled, forever, but He creates my account with His righteousness and His perfect obedience. I, in turn am eternally grateful to God because the mountain of debt that I created has been fully and finally paid for by another.

This great news leads me to love God, to appreciate Him and worship Him more because He has through His Son paid a debt I can never repay.

The wonderful hymn from Robert Lowry concludes it wonderfully,

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

1 Counsel from the Cross, Elyze Fitzpatrick and Dennis J Johnson, 77

2 Ibid, 77