Receipts

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.’”
Revelation 5:9 (NIV)

My sister and I were shopping in the Lake District of England.  Suddenly the wind got up and I felt very cold.  We visited a nearby shop and purchased a heavy jumper which I put on in the changing room after paying for it.  We left the shop and had gone approximately 20 metres when a voice bellowed “Madam would you like to pay for that jumper you are wearing!”  Everyone around me froze, I realised I was the suspect and turned round to face my accuser, and as he drew nearer I replied, “would you like to see my receipt?”  When he saw the receipt, the poor man was abashed and was full of apologies – he admitted that he ought to have checked with the sales assistant at the till.

The lesson for me was to ensure that I had my receipt for all purchases always.  Receipts are verification of purchase – without them there is no evidence of that purchase, nothing to redeem the goods.  However, the most important purchase in my life was not paid for by me.

Salvation from sin does not come freely; ancient Israel was advised by King David in Psalm 130:7,  “Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”  The redemption of mankind came with Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:12 says, “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining  eternal redemption.”

The purchase of salvation was our Saviour’s blood – God has the receipt.  Never take it for granted.  It was the most expensive purchase in history and nothing in the future will ever be more costly. We are in the debt of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  A debt for which we can only give thanks.

Prayer
Loving Father, we thank you for the most precious commodity in creation – the blood of your Son.  Through this payment we have been given salvation and our hearts are full of gratitude.
Amen

Study by Irene Wilson

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About the Author:
Irene Wilson is a Deaconess in the Watford Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK, where she also serves on the Pastoral Council.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford,
Herts.
WD24 7HF

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11AM

Local Congregational Contact:
George Henderson
Phone:  01923-855570
Email: george-sue.henderson@tesco.net