Legal Tender for the Debt of Sin

This morning as I was laying in bed and meditating with God, I felt some strong impressions bout heaven's viewpoint regarding a proper understanding of the debt created by sin and God's provision for dealing with that debt. I called this, the currency of heaven and the paperwork of the law.

Sin created a debt against God. All of humanity was plunged into this debt and since Adam no one has been able to live outside of that situation. That means that even if a person were somehow to be able to be born as a human and live their whole life without ever sinning even once, they would still have to die. Sin brought death upon all the human race and nothing we can do will change that fact for us personally.

In the logic of Paul in his explanation of this problem, when the law was introduced on Mount Sinai, it only accomplished producing a certified copy itemizing the promissory note of debt obligation or what might also be termed a certificate of debt/death.

Jesus' death on the cross produced a sworn affidavit of forgiveness that stated that all charges were dropped. This actually meant that not only was there no charges being pressed on the part of the creditor who was owed the debt, but that the bank of heaven contained accounts full of currency solidly backed by the valuable assets of heaven that were available to every sinner who might ever have lived or would live. These accounts were assigned in the name of each person and that person could draw on those accounts at any time for any and all needs that sin may have produced in their life. The funds in their account were far more than anything they could ever spend so there was no need to worry about running our of currency. In addition, it is a fact that each person's name is found to be entered into the Book of Life which entitles them to an eternity of life in the presence of God and all the holy angels.

The law's demands can only be satisfied when all paperwork is in order.

Entrance into paradise requires presentment of proper documentation regarding our standing in relationship to the requirements of the law before entrance can be granted. Otherwise, people still stained with the seeds of death might reinfect the whole universe and the effects of the debt might yet remain indefinitely.

What is yet needed to enter heaven and spend eternity in the presence and love of God?

How is a debt actually paid off?

Currency has to be based on a recognized, legal bank and can be used to pay off all debts. These are called Legal Tender Notes.

What does it claim on the so-called Legal Tender that we commonly use in the United States? Take a look right now at any denomination bill that you might have in your pocket and observe the words and claims printed on it.

Federal Reserve Note

The United States of America

This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.

In God We Trust.

What do you commonly receive after spending this kind of currency?

Receipts.

What is the purpose of a receipt?

To provide proof of payment any public or private debt by your use of legal currency.

It is common knowledge that our sins have created a massive debt that is only added to the deep debt we already find ourselves in just by being born into a race of sinners. God has been unveiling a method by which we can become free of this debt, but there is much more confusion than there is clarity as to how this effectively is accomplished.

If all sins both past, present and future have been forgiven through the death of the Son of God on the cross (that is a separate but extremely vital discussion to understand), then why is further paperwork required for the whole problem of sin to be wrapped up for good? Why aren't we all just escorted into heaven right now if charges against us have been dropped on the part of God?

It seems quite clear that it is not enough for God to do His part in this plan of salvation. Also required is for everyone to make a free and un-coerced decision regarding what they are going to do about this provided forgiveness. For it is not enough for the act of forgiveness to be demonstrated by God on the cross, but it is vital that forgiveness must also be received for it to make any change in the hearts of those forgiven.

At this point there is also another issue that must be clarified in order to avoid confusion about this word forgiveness. In the original languages of the Bible there were actually different words that meant different things but that were all translated into the English word forgiveness. This has resulted in a great deal of confusion about what forgiveness really means and has caused many to come to wrong conclusions about salvation and our relationship with God. I do not have the time here to fully unpack those issues, but I will simply say that there is a distinct difference between the forgiveness that occurs in the heart of God toward sinners and the forgiveness experienced in the heart of sinners that radically affects their opinions about God.

The safety of all heaven is at risk, for it is not just a technical legal problem we are dealing with here, it is an attitude problem based in the condition of our hearts. God does not need a heaven full of sinners that are forgiven on His part but who do not believe in their deepest hearts that they are forgiven. To have those kind of people in heaven would mean that He still would be prevented from unveiling His face, His character, His glory in full measure as is the case right now. This is because the intensity of God's passionate love is so overwhelmingly powerful and pure that any trace of unbelief, any lack of synchronization in the heart that is out of harmony with the heartbeat of heaven, will produce excruciating agony and torment of an extreme magnitude in the mind and heart of anyone thus disposed.

God desires and plans for there to be no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more sin. But this can only come about through the completely free choice of every individual involved and it must also involve the complete healing of the heart of all unbelief about the real truth about God. This choice must be made while living in the time of probation on this earth, for that is the only time available for us to determine our eternal destiny. After this life there are no more opportunities to again make yet another decision about which side we are going to live on and serve. We are to choose now who will receive our loyalty and then we move on to firm up that decision from this point forward.

So what are the required “documents” needed to finish up this case before the court of the universe? And how can we properly utilize the currency provided to prove our qualification to enter in through the gates into the city of God? (Rev. 22:14)

The Bible says that the certificate of death, the debt that sin created in each of our names, was nailed to the cross. (Col. 2:13, 14) But what was actually nailed to the cross literally? It was Jesus who was nailed to the cross, not some paper detailing our debt to God. Jesus Himself became the demonstration of the effects of sin as a revelation of God's attitude of forgiveness toward us.

In essence, Jesus, on the cross, swore out an affidavit of forgiveness on the part of God, the creditor.

That means that our accounts in the bank of heaven are linked to the account of Jesus who owns all of heaven meaning that we have full access to all the currency issued by this bank. And what is the asset that is so valuable that backs up this currency? It is the willingness of God to give His own life in exchange for experiencing the death that we are destined to experience so as to prove the reality of His attitude of forgiveness towards us that exists in His own heart.

But just because our names currently exist in the Book of Life right now does not mean they cannot be removed and our account closed. Our choices as to what we do with our bank account now will determine whether our account will remain open for eternity or whether through illegal actions and determined treason we might force our account to be closed and our name removed. (Rev. 20:12, 15; 21:27)

What kinds of actions or choices can result in our accounts being canceled and the loss of all the credit so freely yet expensively provided for us in that account?

Open treason against the owner of the bank and the authority of jurisdiction.

Prolonged attempts to illegally use the funds provided such as embezzlement. This results in hardening of the heart which prevents us from being able to produce the receipts necessary which prove possession of the goods and services provided for us by heaven.

The use of counterfeit currency that attempts to mimic the currency of heaven.

What is the real problem with all counterfeit currency?

Legal currency is always supposed to be based on something of value that backs up that currency (unlike the currency we use in the U.S.). Legitimate currency that maintains its true value must have in reserve assets equivalent to the value claimed on the face of the currency used. Inflation occurs when more currency is printed without increasing the assets to back it up, meaning that the face value claims of the currency are actually false in reality.

Counterfeit currency is both unauthorized and even more importantly, is not based on anything of real value or worth. But beyond even that, what is the inherent nature of counterfeit currency?

To be effective it must look very much like real currency. It must convincingly claim to have the face value that appears on it in order to deceive others into accepting it as legal tender.

Are there going to be people who conduct business now and even present counterfeit currency at the judgment in an attempt to enter into the joys of paradise? Absolutely! Jesus talks about this very clearly (Matt. 7:21-23) but also spells out the results of that attempt. Heaven cannot be fooled by counterfeit currency, but unfortunately most of us can easily be duped into accepting and trying to spend it.

Counterfeit currency of heaven's money is any righteousness or assertion of inherent value that has any trace of human attempts to satisfy the demands of the law or to assist in payment of the debt that is created by sin. Any trace of human righteousness/worthiness produced by our own efforts to keep the requirements of the law is tantamount to tampering with the currency of heaven and invalidates it's authenticity. Any tampering with that currency will result in disqualification of that note and it cannot be accepted as payment against any debt.

“But,” some may say, “why is there any discussion of a debt at all if Jesus had all the charges dropped at the cross?”

That is a good question and deserves a very carefully considered examination.

It is important to be aware of just where and how this debt exists so we understand more clearly how it impacts our life. Let me explain more.

As I noted before, whenever legal currency is spent, a receipt is given to prove that something of value has been received in exchange for that currency. Our sins continue to produce evidence of a debt on our behalf that must be resolved. And the problem is that even though God may not be pressing charges with feelings of condemnation (John 3:17), that does not mean that sin does not produce debt in our own hearts that results in destructive effects on our soul.

Just because Jesus notified the court from the cross that God is not pressing charges against us does not mean that no one else is accusing us before the court. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and is insistent that our continued sins demand payment and that we deserve to suffer and die. (Rom. 6:23)

Just because our accounts in heaven have been credited with sufficient amounts of currency to cover our sin and debt does not mean that the debt or its effects are fully resolved yet. In all ages another step has been required for people to experience full freedom from the bondage that the debt of sin produces in our hearts. Jesus has provided all the legal tender necessary to resolve all of our debts and their effects in our lives, but it is required from each individual that they must access those funds intentionally and must spend those funds in exchange for real healing of the soul and to also receive the necessary proof that their sins have been canceled. When the judgment arrives there is still an accuser demanding proof of payment for every debt that our sins have created. He is going over every detail in the records of every being who ever lived looking for any mistakes or errors or unforgiven sins that he may use against us in the judgment.

In actuality though, this is also a natural process or consequence of how reality operates as God created it. Because exposure to the presence of God itself produces the dangerous atmosphere that is lethal to the presence of all unbelief and sin harbored in the heart, Satan is not even needed to expose any residual remnants of sin lurking in our souls. The increased presence of God accomplishes the very same thing inadvertantly. Any time a trace of sin or rebellion is exposed unresolved within a heart by the presence of God's power when it is unveiled in fuller measure, those two things will always result in intense pain and torment that quickly becomes very public and internally excruciating.

It is the elimination of these pockets of unbelief about the forgiveness of God, these seeds of unreleased attitudes of rebellion, these bonds of sympathy with any of Satan's lies about God that serve as evidence of our disqualification to live in the perfect, rarefied atmosphere of purity that fills all of heaven. We must avail ourselves of the infinite credit of Christ's righteousness deposited in our account and use only the authorized currency of heaven to eliminate every sinful tendency and sympathy that becomes exposed in our hearts.

This is actually what goes on in the healing process called salvation. The word salvation itself originally comes from the word used for salve. It is accessing the currency of heaven to apply the balm of healing to the wounds in the heart revealed by the convictions of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We use the currency in our heavenly account to buy the goods and services of heaven provided for our healing and to restore us to wholeness in preparation for fitness to enter into heaven's society.

What is the receipts needed as proof of purchase for entry into the family of God in heaven?

Praise, worship and joyful celebration from the heart in gladness and gratitude to God for all of His provisions and riches offered to us freely – these are the receipts that we display as proof that we have indeed received in our hearts the things that God has provided for all of our needs. Authentic praise and worship to the God of heaven, our Creator, our Savior, our Redeemer, our God, our Lover and most intimate Friend – that is the proof of purchase that must become evident in our lives as we spend freely the riches profligately provided for us from our bank account in heaven.

Heaven has been so extravagant in is dispensing of its riches that there is no excuse for anyone to attempt to use any other source by which to procure healing, self-vindication or righteousness. The stories and parables of Jesus are full of references to heaven's absurd dispersion of funds, so much so that nearly no one is willing to believe them at face value. We continually discover ourselves trying to tame down the extreme statements of grace, mercy and love that are found all throughout the Scriptures because of our insistent penchant for unbelief.

But those who refuse to believe that they have an account full of riches in heaven's bank and fail to use that currency to apply to their debts and its effects in their hearts will discover too late that any and all other attempts to cover address their debt and sin will prove fatally flawed in the day of judgment and full revelation. For the word judgment literally means to expose, to make open and evident and plain all the secret things that were previously hidden from sight. That means that everything that is going on in our heart that has been hidden from others will in that day be made completely public and open to full examination by all.

So, in the presence of God, the angels and every other human who has ever lived, our hearts, our choices, our thoughts, our decisions and motives will all be fully exposed like an X-rated movie that will lay out the truth of what we really believe at the gut level about God and about ourselves. It will become completely obvious if we have chosen to access our heavenly credit and applied it to cover all of our debts or if we have attempted to use counterfeit currency to deal with our debts but which always fails to effectively remove that damage from our hearts.

The place where all of the debt actually resides is in our own hearts. That is the depository of all debt created by sin. It is not really so much in the books of heaven where the problem of sin exists as we have so long supposed, but the real problem of sin is in our own attitudes towards God, our feelings about what His feelings are towards us and our beliefs about how to get right with Him. It is our picture of God in our heart that has been severely distorted by the lies about Him that is the core problem of sin. It is in our heart where all the damage of sin is taking place, so it is always in our heart where all of the healing and re-creation must also take place in order to restore us to a condition where we can survive and thrive while living in the presence of pure power and love without any trace of resistance. (Isa. 33:13-17)

Because counterfeit currency is based on false claims of worth, on assets that are not really of proper value, it is inherently invalid to be used to heal the damage that sin has created in our hearts. Counterfeit currency claims to backed by substances of value just as true currency is backed by the gold and assets of heaven. But unlike the gold of heaven which is both safe, real and in abundance, our counterfeit currency of righteousness is based on human performance and assumes that we have something – anything – of intrinsic value that can compete or compare with the value of heaven's assets and the righteousness of Christ. His value is noted very clearly in the praises found in the book of Revelation where the songs of the redeemed praise the Lamb as the only one who is really worthy of praise and adoration. (Rev. 5:12)

In the pure atmosphere of praise to the Lamb that constantly fills all of heaven, any note of praise for anything we may have produced from our own effort would serve as a discordant note that would totally ruin the symphonies of praise to God. Heaven cannot sustain having any selfish songs played anywhere in heaven for this would only serve to perpetuate sin even longer. Sin at its core is selfishness, and selfishness always ends in cacophony, pain, separation and death. Self-praise is so completely out of harmony with the praises of heaven to the Source of all life, joy and blessings that it would only serve to humiliate, embarrass and even torture the minds those who might propose such an absurd exercise.

This is why it is so crucial that we abandon all notions of dependence on any value of our own making in our use of currencies to deal with our debts and bring healing to our hearts. We must learn to stop using counterfeit money to accomplish our healing and must use only the currency provided for us in our account from heaven. That is the only currency of real value that can bring to us effective medicine and care that will accomplish true healing for all the pain and disease that sin produces in our lives.

So when we are asked to produce the necessary papers for entrance into heaven, we must be prepared to only offer the receipts of praise for the Lamb who's blood provided all the forgiveness and riches that were credited to our heavenly account. Our authentic and spontaneous praise released freely from the heart, not just the head, is proof that we have given up all attempts to justify ourselves or to utilize any alternative monetary system for our behalf. Our attitude and indulgence in celebration of God's goodness, our freedom and joy for the healing that has restored our ability to be ravished by the love of our Savior and God, this is the paperwork that will permit us to add our own loyal songs of praise to the millions of beings that already sing in joyful praise and adoration of God throughout the rest of the universe.

And what of those who have chosen to depend on other sources for healing and hope and life? What will happen to anyone who continues to try to use counterfeit currency? What will become of those who fail to be able to produce authentic receipts proving that they have accepted and embraced the forgiveness and wealth so freely deposited in their heavenly account?

It will be seen that their failure to use the accounts provided for them and their choices to engage in the spread and use of counterfeit methods for healing will result in their account being closed permanently and their names removed from the Book of Life. It is never God's desire for this to happen, but it is not safe to allow names to be retained in the Book of Life that have insisted on committing high treason against all that heaven has provided for their redemption and restoration to the perfect society of heaven.

Those who reject the offer of God's free grace in favor of any other method that depends in any way on their own performance or intrinsic worth will commit treason. Apart from complete trust in God's view of their value and total dependence on His indwelling Spirit, they will be found wanting and still in debt. For even though God has provided all the funds necessary for our debt to be paid, and even the certificate of death/debt was nailed to the cross in the person of God's own Son, if we do not avail ourselves of that forgiveness and those funds provided, the debt will still exist in our own heart.

But be very clear here – the debt does not exist in the heart of God in His attitude towards us. God never harbors ill feelings, grudges or condemnation towards sinners that result in His punishments against them. The debt is totally resident in the hearts of those who refuse to believe in God's attitude of love, forgiveness and grace towards them. This is all about the issue of belief – real heart belief. That is why the apostle John referred so much to this word in relation to what we think about Jesus. The resistance against belief in the heart of anyone by refusing to fully receive and embrace the grace and forgiveness that flows from the heart of God itself becomes the source of torment and death for them when they are become exposed to the full revelation of that love in the presence of God.

It is not enough to try to avail ourselves of the symptoms of salvation. It is of little use to try to force ourselves to offer superficial praises and gratitude to God in attempts to appear like we have experienced salvation when we have not. Counterfeit receipts will also become obvious and exposed in times of judgment. Only authentic currency and authentic receipts can stand up under the brilliant light of truth in the scrutiny of times of judgment. And remember, it is not so much God that is examining our record of choices but it is everyone everywhere who will be able to examine clearly every thought and choice of our heart. The judgment is open to all and all will be unanimous in the final verdict that will vindicate God as not being guilty of any charges that have leveled against Him.

The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift. (Revelation 22:17 NRSV)