X marked the spot.

The townhouse was the perfect size for me, considering I had lived in an apartment for the last few months. A calmness fell over me as I took a pen from my left jacket pocket. The closing agent slid page after page of documents across the table and said, “Sign here.”

As I signed, apprehension overcame me. The lender discussed the policies and rules for the mortgage. I realized I had a place to stay, but it was not yet mine. I was only an occupant with limited control until I fulfilled payments to the lender. If I missed a payment, I would have to make it up. No free passes.

My first home purchase excited me and made me nervous. Even though the lender excellently explained their policies, the bottom line remained the same: the lender owned the deed until I paid off the property.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body.

~1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

A lender is an individual, a public or private group, or a financial institution that makes funds available to a person or business with the expectation that they will repay the funds.

But no lending process can compare with what God did when He sent Jesus. When we accept Christ as our Savior, we have full rights to what He has purchased with a price we could not pay. 

God desires Jesus Christ to be our lender who gives benefits in our favor. A bank purchases property for us by giving us a loan with interest.  I am glad we serve a God who is not like that. He takes ownership of our lives, but He allows us to live in His abundance. The only requirement is that we need to sign the deed by agreeing to Jesus Christ’s lordship. When we take Him as our Lord, He gives us eternal life and a life well-lived here.

Some believe God’s requirements are too stringent for us to follow, but we need to treat the Lord the same way as we would a lending institution. He is the lender that sends His terms and conditions through His Word, and all He asks is that we trust and obey Him. 

When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

~John 15:10 NLT

Who doesn’t enjoy the peace and joy of owning a home? As the perfect lender, Jesus Christ’s terms and conditions of ownership free us from the control of sin. The debt we owed has been purchased by a Savior who has the deed of our freedom in His care. No longer do we need to make the payments of costly choices. We can enjoy the comfort of living for Him. He has redeemed us from spiritual and eternal death and will not default on His promises.

Have you allowed Jesus Christ to purchase your life in full?

Lord God, I thank You that Your Son paid a price for my sins that I could not pay. I recognize my need for Your Holy Spirit to guide me daily. Allow me never to forget the benefits that You have given freely for me to live in Your peace.

In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2021: A Different Lender: Charles E. Maldon, Jr.: All Rights Reserved