. . . [T]he Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)
Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan? A man was beaten and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. A priest and a Levite both came to the place where the man lay, naked and bleeding, and both passed by on the other side of the road. But a Samaritan man, who was hated and despised by the Jews solely because of his ethnicity, had compassion on the man, stopped and bandaged his wounds, and took him to an inn. After caring for the man, he paid the innkeeper and asked him to look after the man while he was gone. The good Samaritan promised that he would pay the innkeeper for any additional expense upon his return. In essence, he said, “Charge that man’s debts to my account!” (Luke 10:30-35).
Jesus, like the good Samaritan, has said of each and every one of our sins–past, present, and sins still to come–“Charge them to My account!” The Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world took upon Himself every one of the sins of all those who will place their trust in him. One could spend a lifetime of meditation and still not come close to plumbing the depths of this blessed assurance. Jesus, as our substitute, had laid upon Himself a debt we owed but could never pay, and He did it freely for the unimaginable joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).
The accuser wants you to forget this truth and live with gnawing guilt, which will keep you from doing all that God has called you to do. Satan wants you to believe that you are so polluted with sin that you are paralyzed from doing the kingdom work God has given you to do. Sadly, far too many in the church have forgotten about their day of deliverance. They do not understand the Lamb’s shout of triumph from the cross: “It is finished!” Our debt was charged to His account and paid in full. Our sins have been forgiven. Eternal life has been secured.
Remember, the devil is a liar, and he will do everything in his power to muddy your mind and wreck your witness for Jesus. The next time you find yourself dealing with a bout of gnawing guilt, remember the story of the good Samaritan, who was willing to pay any debt incurred by the beaten man he brought to the inn. This is a clear picture of your beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is greater than the good Samaritan. He has not only nailed every one of your sins to that cross, but He washed them white as snow with His cleansing blood. Hear Him say, “Charge those sins to my account,” and let that truth strengthen you to go and sin no more. The good Samaritan spent his money to help the dying man, while Jesus spent His precious blood to raise you from death to life!
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 