From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Your bill has been paid

There are times we enter places, such as certain restaurants and stores, that our first thought is, "uh-oh, I don't think I have enough money to eat (or shop) here." We see a price list, or other clientele just "dripping money," or something there that tells us the cost of doing business there is beyond our financial capacity. The only solution we can think of is to just leave. There can be another remedy, though, that very seldom presents itself. That rare remedy is, we enter the premises under the care and invitation of the owner, who says, "Enjoy, it's on the house!" Wow, it's already paid for, I don't have to come up with what I don't have!

That would and should be fun. Knowing that someone that has it all loves us so much that he has secured access and paid in full for all we need. What foolishness it would be if someone in such a situation believed the lie of a scoundrel that told them, "you don't belong here, you have no right to be here." or, "maybe you had an invitation, but your clothes aren't good enough for this place." or, "you don't have the kind of money it takes around here, you bum!" Such lies would only work if we thought maybe the owner didn't mean it, that somehow he really expected us to come up with the price. How dishonoring that would be to the owner, who offered such a kindness to us.

Those of us who have heard and accepted the good news of the gospel message of salvation through Jesus have just such a deal. The very owner has said, "come on in, your admission has been paid in full;" HE's given us the remedy! Sadly, there is a liar on the loose that has taken away the peace and joy of many. Satan has deceived these people, who have the promise of God, into believing one who has been a liar from the very beginning. Why???

God's Word tells us that we are (we have been made) "accepted in the beloved." (Ephesians 1) When a price is offered for a transaction and the party says, "I accept the offer," the deal is done. Only a cheat would come back after giving his word and say, “I changed my mind, it's going to cost you more." Is God a cheat? Is HE a liar? When He has given His Word, can you trust it? The Word says God cannot lie, and Satan is the very father of lies. Who are you going to believe? I, for one, choose to believe God. Satan, and all the rest of the world, may try to tell me differently, but, sorry, I go with God. HE's not a cheat or a liar. HE is my way, HE has paid the price, and God the Father has said, "I accept, it's settled."

Your bill has been paid!!!

                              Ben