Day 179

When you go to purchase a home or rent an apartment you are typically required to remit a down payment or a security deposit. This provides surety for the asset one is attempting to acquire. This is not a new way of conducting business transactions. Two thousand years ago, God also placed a down payment on your life. But it did not cost Him a fraction or percentage of what He desired, instead, it cost Him everything. God gave up His life as the most incomprehensibly priceless down payment just so you and I can have eternal life. And the down payment is non-refundable. So, my question is: how invested do you think Jesus is in you?

We live in a world that is not going to last much longer. And excentric billionaires know this. Because they have dedicated an unprecedented amount of their own money to the next frontier, space. The way that human beings’ greed have mined the planet of its’ natural resources, how we have abused the home God gave us, speaks volumes of the mistreatment of the gifts of God. Paul speaks of another gift, in Ephesians chapter 2. Here he tells us: For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Eph. 2:8-10.

Paul tells us that we have been saved, or that salvation has been purchased for us, through the death of Jesus. And the text states that it is nothing of your own doing, it is a gift of God. One of the ways that Americans acquire wealth is through homeownership. Families would pass their homes to their children. And their children’s children. By then, the home would have been paid off and the recipient of the home would have started life without having to pay off one of the greatest debts in society, they would have a home free and clear. And there was nothing that they did to deserve it or work for it. Now this beautiful story was really only applicable to white or caucasian Americans. Because the United States government instituted and perpetuated poverty and segregation of Black Americans. You can read the 2017 NPR segment entitled: A ‘Forgotten History’ of How the U.S. Government Segregated America,” for yourself and see how the government through their laws and banks purposefully “redlined” neighborhoods which contained Black Americans in them.

But Paul tells us in Ephesians that there is no separation of grace for those who are Black or White, or for Jew or Gentile. In fact, he says: For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” Eph. 2:18-20. For a nation stating “In God, we trust” we certainly have not lived like it. When politicians state “God bless America” they were not including the ones who worked to build it, but the ones who were profiting from the backs of free forced labor. I know that I am blessed to be an American, and I thank God that I was born in a country who in its writings and foundation agreed that all men are created equal. But in practice are unable to uphold its beautiful scripted words. Thomas Jefferson, who quite eloquently penned the majority of the Declaration of Independence, owned almost 1000 slaves. He who became the third president of the nation he helped form, could not abide by the words that he wrote.

Thomas Jefferson was quoted stating that slavery was: a “moral depravity” and “a hideous blot,” but continued to hold human beings as property his entire adult life” (Monticello). And although Mr. Jefferson spoke a good game, he could not will himself to walk the talk. And the reality is that America has never been able to either. But you know who can walk the talk, and did so when He literally walked and talked here on earth? You guessed it, the ONE who sacrificed His life for you. The One placed that downpayment so that you could have eternal life. You can believe Him because “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19.

And He wants you to be a part of Him, His life, His legacy, regardless of the color of your skin, or your gender. You are priceless to Him. And for those of us that were blocked from the ability to acquire wealth or have decent homes because of the color of our skin, Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3. He wants you with Him. Jesus has invested too much into you to lose you. This world may not be able to see your true wealth or your worth, but to God, you are priceless, because that’s what you cost Him. And if no one has told you in a while, it’s important that you know that you are loved. And you can take that to the bank.