The Sinner's Guarantee
Today’s Verse:
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ~Hebrews 7:22
A debt is a financial obligation to repay money that has been lent. Whenever you borrow money, you sign a promissory agreement to repay that debt. Loans are typically secured by some means of collateral. The creditor wants sufficient collateral pledged to him to be sure he is able to recover the money he has lent, in case the borrower is unable to repay the loan at a later date. In effect, the creditor wants guaranteed sources to pay off the debt. Whenever the borrower has insufficient collateral, he might request someone to be a surety for him on the debt. This morning, we are considering the concept of a surety, and how this term has great meaning to us as Christians.
We see the role of a surety.
A surety is someone who is a co-signor on a debt or loan. He is taking full responsibility for a loan if the primary debtor is unable to meet his obligation. General contractors typically get construction bonds to guarantee their customers that the construction will be completed if the contractor fails to finish. A surety is a guarantor to a loan. He is taking on full responsibility to pay off a debt if the original debtor can no longer pay it off. The surety also has to pledge assets for the obligation. He is assuming responsibility to pay off the debt if the original lender does not.
We see the risks of a surety.
The surety can lose everything up to the value of the debt that he is guaranteeing. A surety might think that co-signing a promissory note is harmless, but it makes the debt obligation his responsibility if the original creditor is no longer capable of paying for it. Being a co-signor can set you back financially and affect your credit worthiness. The surety is the collateral for the loan. The assets of a co-signor can be taken into possession. Being a surety for another person can become a financial nightmare. This is why in Proverbs, Solomon tells us repeatedly to not be a surety for another person. In fact, he goes as far as to tell us that if you made yourself a surety, you should quickly see the original borrower and do whatever you have to do to be removed as a guarantor of the loan.
We see the release through a surety.
In Hebrews 7:22, we are told that Jesus is our Surety of a better testament. In effect, our sin debt to God is an obligation that we cannot pay in full. We are spiritually bankrupt and insolvent when it comes to paying off our sin debt. When Jesus voluntarily became our sin sacrifice and substitute, He also became our Surety. His shed blood and death on the cross are an absolute guarantee that our sin debt is paid in full. Every saved person is released from the penalty of sin once and for all when Jesus is received as Savior. His acceptance as our surety gives us 100% assurance that God’s righteous demand for sin has been completely satisfied.
We see the resolution from a surety.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit,” Rom. 8:1. The precious blood of Christ cleanses us from all our sin—past, present, and future. Our sin cannot hang over our head and jeopardize our eternal security. Jesus is our Surety of a better testament! We are forgiven forever!
Take a moment this morning to thank the Lord for His shed blood and sacrificial death on the cross as your surety for sin. Don’t let the devil place lingering doubts in your heart about being saved. We are free from the law and forever saved through Jesus!
Have an eternally-secure God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Isaiah 42-44