Under Warranty

Under Warranty

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

As I write this message I am waiting for the Toyota service technician to give me an assessment regarding the cost to fix my radio. Many of the places I called gave a rough figure of $1500 to replace it. As soon as I finished the last 2 sentences, Rodger the technician snuck up on me and reported that it needed to be replaced, he had ordered the replacement and it was covered under my warranty. It would cost me nothing. He said he would call when it arrived and I informed him that he was now my new best friend. It would have been odd, to say the least, if I had argued with my new best friend that I did not deserve such kindness. What if I wrote out a check, yes checks still exist, for $1500 and made him take it. No, I said “thank you” and left with a renewed appreciation for the kindness of strangers.  

So why is it that when it comes to receiving the gift of grace, mercy and forgiveness that we believe we must “write a check” to pay for it through our own performance. Sometimes that performance appears as us figuratively wearing sackcloth and ashes for an extended period. In other words, I must feel bad and live under condemnation in order to pay for my sins. It is difficult to believe that Jesus paid the “warranty” for my sins especially the ones I repeatedly enjoyed while committing them. We sometimes act and believe that we have exceeded the limits of his atoning grace and forgiveness. When sins are exposed there should be remorse which accompanies repentance but this should be followed by a time of rejoicing. I challenge you to find an example in scripture where joy did not follow true repentance. Repentance humbles us because it was my pride and self-reliance that fed the pursuit of my sin. Humbling teaches us and promotes the process of sanctification. Humiliation promotes condemnation, guilt, shame and avoidance. God’s wrath was poured out upon his Son. He was condemned, humiliated , shamed and found guilty for sins he did not commit. Do not diminish this gift by trying to add to or take away from its value. For many years, I held myself in the bondage of unforgiveness because I knew better than to commit these sins. Whenever God would give me a blessing, I would reject it because I felt and believed myself unworthy. God had to teach me that my feelings and beliefs did not direct nor control the truth of his grace, mercy and forgiveness. God did not need me to feel, think or believe his truth to be true for it to be true. It is not about God learning to agree with you but you learning to agree with God. Rodger the friendly technician really didn’t become my best friend by using my warranty. I do, however, have a best friend who paid the ultimate price for this unworthy flawed sinner because he loves me. That is one heck of a warranty.

If you are interested in strengthening and healing your relationships with God and others, check out our free Foundations of Faith: Building God- Centered Relationships course.

Jonathan Jones, President and Founder of Perfect Hope Ministry

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