The Upper Room devotional reflection for Saturday, November 19, 2022, comes to us from Palmira Valenzuela of Nuevo León, Mexico.
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:1-10NIV
PAID
One of the benefits of my employment as a professor at a public university is the free tuition for children of employees. My daughter decided to enroll at the university and take advantage of the scholarship. We reviewed the administrative processes and documentation needed to register online for the coming year. As we entered our personal data, there was also a required field in the system to post the registration fee. At this point, a message appeared in the center of our screen: PAID. We owed nothing; my daughter could look forward to the semester without incurring debt.
In the same way, when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our slate is wiped clean. The sacrifice Christ made for us on the cross makes it possible for us to have eternal life. By faith, we are beneficiaries of the fullness of God’s mercy. We can rest secure in the knowledge that the message on our slate will read: PAID.
Friends,
For many of us navigating student loan debt, we wish we could open an invoice to find our loans: Paid in Full. The debate over student debt cancellation continues to be a hot button topic. Thankfully, there is no debate on the subject of cancelling the debt of sin we owed. God, through Christ’s sacrifice, paid the debt and we stand freed from the bondage it created. Palmira’s reflection reminds us of the joy and elation we can experience knowing Christ has paid the debt for all. May you find time today to give God thanks and praise for the gift of salvation, paid for by Christ’s sacrifice.
--Pastor Anthony
Prayer:
Faithful God, great is your mercy and greater still your love for us – a love so great that your Son died on the cross to pay for our sins and grant us eternal life. Thank you, Lord! Amen
-- Palmira Valenzuela
Prayer Focus:
Students applying for scholarships.
Thought for the day:
I am the beneficiary of God’s love and mercy.