The Coupon

 Think about how a coupon is redeemed.  You purchase a newspaper and in that newspaper is a coupon for a free box of Cheerios.  You drive yourself to the grocery store and take a box of Cheerios to the register.  The cashier says that will be $3.26 with tax and you hold up your coupon saying, “No, this one is actually mine.”  You walk out of the store having redeemed the cereal for your own.  Well, that’s kind of how I see the redeeming love of Christ.  You see, before Christ came God’s people had to offer up sacrifices to God to cover their sin.  When Christ came and died on the cross He became the final and perfect sacrifice for sin.  It is His sacrifice that covers our sin and allows us to return to the presence of God when this life is over.

When I die I will stand before God and have to make an explanation for all of my actions that went against the law of God.  Because of my sin, I would be consigned to be separated from God for all eternity.  But, because I have chosen to be baptized and follow Christ I am covered by His sacrifice.  This is how I imagine that day:

 I imagine myself standing before the throne of God, remembering how I have failed Him and realizing I stand no chance to be allowed into His presence.  I am soon kneeling on the floor; my head is bowed because I am ashamed and scared to look at my God.  In my heart I am consigning myself to the fact that I have failed, when from somewhere behind me Christ walks to me and lifts my chin.  He looks into my eyes and I know that He knows me…I am His.  He looks at my Heavenly Father on His throne and lifts up a piece of paper.  As He hands the paper to my God and King He says, “She is covered.  I have claimed her as my own through my sacrifice.” When my Heavenly Father takes the paper in His hands I see that on it is written my name…in the blood of Christ.  Then Christ lifts me to my feet and I hear, “Welcome home my good and faithful servant.”

The thing with the plan of redemption is it only applies to those who desire to follow and belong to Christ.  He cannot cover the sins of those who do not desire to have a part of his sacrifice.