Have you ever experienced the sickening feeling caused a brightly colored pink letter with the words "past due" stamped upon it? If you have, then this post might be right up your alley!
This morning I was reading 2 Corinthians 5 :
"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us, we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God!"
As I read it I suddenly had this picture of the end of the age - Jesus was the Divine Repo Man and I was one of His collection agents! (But it was a fun picture, not scary or terrifying!) He was sending out "final notices" to the earth, giving them fair warning that soon it would be time to settle accounts and that if anyone wanted their accounts marked "PAID IN FULL" He would gladly do that for them! They had been pre-approved for Divine Financing.
It was a good reminder for me of the truth that EVERYTHING is God's! He owns it all!! (even the stuff that I think is mine is actually His.)
It was a sobering thought to look around and realize that He made it all and holds it all together by the word of His power. If He were to hold His breath for even a moment, everything that we know, both the material and the spiritual realms, would cease to exist!
Beloved, I am more convinced than ever that God is preparing pink envelopes marked "Final Notice!" designed to prepare our hearts for His return. And like any good owner, He is going to settle accounts for how we have managed His possession while they were in our care.
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."
If that thought puts a shiver in your bones, you don't need to sweat it!
He is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. Willing to forgive and desiring that not would be found lacking on that day! He is able to overcome every shortcoming and meet every requirement on our behalf.
That is good news! In fact, it is THE Good News!!
"Therefore" (to use one of my favorite biblical phrases!), since we have been set free from the fear of that judgment through the blood of Jesus, who will enable us to be found righteous and worthy and that day, and give to us great rewards; I want to invite you to join (or re-join) the growing team of "ambassadors" who are sending out "first notices" of the return of the Divine Repo Man; declaring to friends, neighbors and strangers that He is coming soon and that their debts can be marked "Paid in Full".
Jon
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