Recently I went to the library to take out some books. While checking them out, I was totally surprised when the lady, after carefully watching the computer screen, looked at me and said, “There is a fine outstanding since last December. A book you returned was overdue, and this fine will remain on our records until you pay it. Do you want to pay it now?”
I was shocked to think that, quite unknown to me, there was a fine against my name. It was no mistake - the fine was mine. As I thought about it later, it brought to my mind something far more serious. It is possible that some boys and girls aren’t aware of the fact that God is also keeping a record of everything we think and say and do. And no mistakes will be made. God tells us that all have sinned, and those with sins still on their records cannot enter heaven. Every one of us can probably, truthfully remember some sins that are recorded against our names.
How can we ever have these awful records wiped out? For my library fine, I took out some money, paid the fine and immediately the library lady cleared my computer record. Just a simple exchange between the library lady and me, and the record of my fine was removed in a few moments. But we cannot pay God money for our debt of sins, for He clearly says, “Ye [are] not redeemed with . . . silver and gold” (1 Peter 1:1818Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; (1 Peter 1:18)). How can we clear the record of our sins, since we can’t pay a fine for them?
There is good news. God has made a way for a sinner to have his record of sins cleared and be ready for heaven. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as my substitute, punished Him instead of me, and all I have to do is accept Him as my own Saviour. I must have a personal exchange with Him - come to Him with my debt of sin, and He will clear my record because He has already paid the “fine” for me. The Bible says, “Christ . . . once suffered for sins, the Just [Christ] for the unjust [you and me], that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)).
Gone, gone, gone, gone,
Yes, my sins are gone;
Now my soul is free,
And in my heart is a song.
Buried in the deepest sea;
Yes, that’s good enough for me;
I shall live eternally;
Praise God! My sins are gone!
ML-11/24/2002