Guarantor

This was the word that flashed in my mind tonight at Bible study. We’re in a Jen Wilkins study on Hebrews. It’s called Better. I have been blown away by this study. It could not have come at a more timely place in this season. I could say lots more, but I digress.

In our study of chapters 7 and 8 the image of Christ as a guarantor of our salvation came up. A guarantor is someone who will make sure a debt is covered. It can be a co-signer or the borrower. But neither of those things resonated with me quit like my experience with hospital bills. Yes, hospital bills.

It’s not that we’ve really had a lot of hospital bills. It’s actually because I have children. When my first son was born obviously my husband and I were listed as the guarantors on his account. However, things got a little mixed up after I had my second. We got a bill with my son’s first name, my middle name and our last name. So I called and thought I had it corrected. Now we get bills for my first name, my son’s middle name and our last name. I haven’t even tried to correct it.

However, it got me to reflecting on this title of guarantor. I am a guarantor for my sons bills. And, since they aren’t even school age, the idea of making them financially responsible for their bills is laughable. But I makes me think that that’s exactly how it must be with our salvation.

You see, Jesus is named as the guarantor of our salvation. Just like my husband and I are guarantors of our sons medical expenses. Except sometimes we think we have something to offer for our debt of sin.

What would happen if either of my sons had the wherewithal to offer me money for their dr visit? There would probably be a chuckle and then a gentle refusal of the offer. In all likelihood he would offer me a handful of coins for the much more expensive copay.

In terms of salvation, we so often try to offer our own coins. But in comparison our attempt to participate in our own salvation is so meager, so minute it is shameful in comparison with the incomparable provision already made by believing in Christ Jesus and the work He already did on the cross.

Friend, is it time for you to give up your good work? Is it time to rest in the goodness and salvation of your Lord and Savior? Is it time to let Him lead the way and walk you into holiness love and joy and peace and patience and gentleness and self control and . . .

I pray you will find it.