This week at Woodstock First Baptist, Johnny Hunt mentioned a good representation (I thought) of what the offer of God’s grace and salvation can be likened to. I have always tried to think of one, since I had talked with a friend during college about it, and he said that he had a hard time accepting a loving God who would let a relative of his go to hell, cause that relative was a “good” person.

Basically, the offer of God’s grace and the gift of salvation is like a signed check that God has given each and every one of us. It is up to us if we want to accept His gift, and escape the “poverty” of our sin. There is nothing more to it than that. We just realize that we are sinners, need God, and “cash the check” (ask for forgiveness & salvation) God is not “sending” us to Hell, in fact, it is the last thing he wants for us. He wants us to accept his “Check” so much that he sacrificed his Son for us!

It is too often, we think we can get out of the “poverty” of our sin on our own. We work our whole life with this “check” in our pocket, and try to do it on our own. We need to realize that we will die poor, and never live the abundant life we could.

Also, once we “cash the check”, it almost like we then have a “line of credit”. Even Christians will still try to work on their own, and refuse to use the Holy Spirit to lead their lives. They will still go to Heaven, but their life will not be a fulfilled as it could be.

Don’t leave the check in your pocket. …and dont be afraid that once you cash it, you will owe it back. It ain’t a loan, its a gift. No-one can take it away, and no strings are attached. Once you get the gift of salvation, your life will change, and you may want to do more for God, but the Lord works in all our hearts in different ways.

Don’t leave the check in your pocket! (click the “Got Jesus?” link on the right for more info)