Pre-paid
25 nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place year by year with blood not his own; 26 else must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once at the end of the ages hath he been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
Heb 9:25-26 (ASV)
The motorcycle policeman was standing on the side of the road with his laser gun at his side directing me to pull into the side street just past him. He had obviously already established my guilt for something and I would soon find out what that was. I had honestly completely missed the flashing school zone sign as I had been focused on merging traffic, and he let me know I had reached a speed that would require a significant fine as punishment. He graciously gave me a warning for this violation, but did site me for failure to maintain insurance (was a little slow in finding my card). I would just have to go to meet the judge to prove I actually did have coverage at the time of the incident. He actually made it so I eventually would have no mark on my record and no fine to pay-most grateful.
So, a few weeks later I did get to appear in court, though, taking my seat in the very back of the room as several other people went before me to converse with the judge. Many of them were much less fortunate than I was, having to pay hundreds of dollars for multiple violations. For each infraction there was a significant fine and it seemed that the list just kept going on and on. I found myself wondering how they would ever really be able to pay. There were different means by which the punishment could be met as some would make payments, others community service, and some even would spend time in jail. However it was dealt with, each violation would require a specific payment of penalty.
My little experience in traffic court is but a representation of how our lives are geared with respect to transgressions and their penalty payment. Separate and unique reparations are necessary for each and every failure. With friends, family, school, job, etc., there is a sense of expectancy that something must be done in each case to make amends, to make things right.
Our reality with Christ, then, is somewhat difficult to adjust to, because in Him all transgressions were paid for on the cross. While we may continue to feel like we must at least feel bad enough as punishment for each failure, there is nothing left to be done to take care of our guilt. God doesn’t hold our sin against us in the least, because Jesus went before the judge in our stead, securing payment for anything we’ve done or are yet to do. There is no guilt that can rightfully be held against us for the smallest to the greatest of transgressions. While our own soul may feel the Intense need for unique justification (freedom from the guilt), for each and every thing we may do wrong, just being in Christ is our complete and total liberation from any guilt, at least with regard to God the Father. Other than maintaining a position of honor and worship before Him, there is nothing that can ever separate us from the love and favor that is God’s established attitude towards us. Our simple confession activates the power of Christ’s only trip before the judge on our behalf, and we are able to maintain a continual position of righteousness before the Father. With nothing left to do with regard to our holiness, we can joyfully take our place in the kingdom to further establish and proclaim the reality of an available life free from any further penalty payment.
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.