The Debt

Bible Reading: Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:4-9

“I’m home, Mom,” Tiwa shouted, bursting into the apartment after school. She stopped suddenly when she saw tears pouring down her mom’s face. Crumpled letters, folders, and papers were strewn around her on the table.

“Mom, what is it?” Tiwa asked. “Why are you crying? We don’t need to move again, do we?”

In the last two years, they had moved several times, sometimes living with friends for a few weeks at a time, until they had finally settled in the apartment above Mrs. Rizzoli’s shop, where Mom helped out.

“No. It’s okay, sweetheart,” Mom said. “I’m not crying because I’m sad or because we need to move. I’m crying because I’m so happy! Today our debt has finally been paid off. It has been a real struggle since Dad went to jail, but now at last, I’ve completed the last payment. We are finally debt-free, after all the sacrifices we’ve made.” Mom came over and gave Tiwa a hug. “Thank you, Tiwa, for all you’ve done to help. You’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices too.”

Tiwa thought of all the times in the last couple years they’d had to rely on donations of food and clothes from their church community. She’d also had to stop taking dance classes. At first Tiwa was angry about everything she had to give up, but her anger was soon replaced with an acceptance that no one was perfect—not even adults.

Later, while they were eating dinner, Tiwa said, “This reminds me of something Pastor Chapel told us about forgiveness and salvation. He said that no matter what we do, we can never repay the debt we owe God for our sin, but salvation is a free gift. It’s not something we have to keep paying for like a never-ending debt. Jesus paid it all when He died on the cross.”

“That’s right,” Mom said. “Let’s be thankful we’re finally debt-free and no longer owe any money we have to pay back. Most of all, let’s be thankful that Jesus paid the debt for our sin so we could have salvation and eternal life.” She smiled at Tiwa. “Now, how about a movie night tonight? But first, you need to decide which dance class you’d like to join.” • Cindy Lee

How About You?

Have you overcome a tough situation? Remember to thank God for His blessings and strength throughout your journey. And don’t forget to thank Him for His greatest blessing of all—sending His Son, Jesus, to pay the debt for your sin. You could never pay that debt yourself—you can only accept His free gift of salvation and eternal life. Have you done that? If not, do it today! (To learn more, click the “Good News!” button in the right column of this page.)

Today’s Key Verse:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Jesus paid your debt