Matthew 6:12

New Living Translation (NLT)

and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

For meditation

“No Trespassing”, the sign read. It stood at the edge of Mr. Achia’s unfenced backyard to ward off the “little mango hunters”, as he called us. It was a game the children of our neighborhood in Koforidua played. During rainfalls with strong winds, we enjoyed running around to collect our coveted fruit prizes, fallen mangoes, and this noble man’s house was our favorite field.When the sign alone couldn’t keep us off his yard, Mr. Achia, an accomplished professional electrician, raised another one: “No Trespassing”, and in small letters under it, “High Voltage Electricity”. The courtroom was packed on this day. A beautiful little girl had been electrocuted, and Mr. Achia stood on trial for her murder.

There is a trespass that brings eternal death. It is the trespass against God. It is called sin (Rom. 6:23). Our great ancestor, Adam, died for this trespass, and through him, all have trespassed and died (3:23, 5:12). However, unlike the trespass against Mr. Achia, the trespass against God comes with a remedy. This remedy is in His Son, Jesus Christ(Jn. 3:16). God sent Him to die in our place, so that in Him, we may “have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:14). It is the outpouring of His love that has brought us grace for our salvation (Rm. 5:8; Titus 2:11). Like that little girl who couldn’t work her way back to life, no one can work their way back to life with God (Rm. 2:8-9). That’s why Christ’s work on the sinner’s behalf is called, “Good News” (Mk. 1:1). It is free. The only cost to the taker is their willingness to accept the Good News.

1. Have you traded your will for this grace (Jn. 1:12-13; Rm. 10:10)?
2. Do you have the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that you are a child of God (Rm. 8:16)?
3. Does your life bear witness to this new life in Christ Jesus (Eph. 5:8)?
4. Have you examined yourself lately (2 Cor. 13:5)?
5. Are you sharing this Good News to all who may hear (Matt. 28:18-20)?

I pray we remember that time in this world is limited, and that this gracious window closes very fast on us without warningwhen we breathe our last (Heb. 2:7-8).

So: May the redeemed raise high the sign of salvation that shouts to the world, “Remedy for the Trespasser – Christ Jesus” (Acts 4:12); and may our lives shout louder as proof of this truth and the efficacy of Christ’s blood.

Christ Jesus is the only hope for the trespasser in Adam.

Shalom