“No Ledger”

      Love keeps no ledger.

     “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:4-5).

     As mentioned in a previous message this week, we do not owe God, despite the fact that He has given to us “life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:25).  He relates to those who know Him in a saving and personal way by grace, that is, by freely given favor, freely received.  The Lord Jesus Christ made possible such a relationship by bearing our obligation to God on the cross of Calvary in order to birth a bond of familial love.   “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).

     Just as a loving earthly parent does not keep accounts regarding the things we do for our children, neither does our Heavenly Father view us as His debtors.  Certainly, in our own hearts and minds we may feel such a sensibility, wishing that in some way we could repay Him.  However, one does not purchase a gift, either as it is initially received, or as it benefits in the long run.  We rather gratefully receive God’s beneficence, causing reciprocal love to spring up in our heart that responds in grateful devotion rather than a cold and sterile sense of duty.  There is a difference, and it is vast.  “We love Him because He first loved us” (I John 4:19).

  

     So much was given to provide for us a place in God’s “whole family in Heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15).  The “Beloved Son” was smitten and forsaken on the cross of Calvary in order to birth “many sons.”  The freely given nature of such a gift is in direct proportion to its brutally remitted cost.  Thus, our Heavenly Father would have us to know and enjoy the blessedness made possible by His Son’s agony.  As we do, we will discover ongoing change in our heart whereby a ledgerless Christianity leads to consistent and joyous faithfulness to the One so faithful to us.  Yes, God views us as owing Him nothing.  And we view Him as worthy of a long eternity of receiving our ardent and utmost love, worship, faith, devotion and obedience.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.”

(I John 3:1)

“I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

(II Corinthians 6:17-18)