There is no better feeling than paying off a debt that you owe. It may be a mortgage, car or other kind of loan, but when it’s paid off, there is a certain amount of joy and relief it brings. While we were in Savannah, Georgia last year, we learned that the residents would paint their front door red when the mortgage was paid in full. This tradition boasts of full ownership of your home.
The red door tradition was also a recognized refuge for weary travelers and the underground railroad during the Civil War.
Today, the historical society still keeps records on the red doors in the city. They continue to verify that residents who have a red door are truly mortgage free.
While we were hearing this story, my mind went immediately to how the crimson blood of Jesus paid our debt in full. As a Christian, our debt of sin was paid by the blood of Christ.
I was recently sharing the gospel with a young lady, and I shared with her that Jesus gave us the gift of salvation. It is free. Paid for. We just have to reach out and accept that gift. This gift has been offered to everyone because of Jesus’ love for us.
Once we have accepted that free gift, then Jesus becomes our refuge. A refuge from all the harshness of this world. He is the One we go to in difficult times and He is the one that covers us.
While Savannah keeps a record of mortgages that have been paid in full, Jesus keeps a record of all that have accepted His gift as our payment for sin.
Many years ago, we sang a little chorus about Jesus paying our debt. Maybe you will remember it as well.
He paid a debt He did not owe,
I owed a debt I could not pay,
I needed someone to wash my sins away;
And now I sing a brand new song,
“Amazing Grace,”
Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Chris Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Today, thank Jesus that your debt is paid in full. Thank Him that He is your refuge in all times.
Fun fact: This picture was taken in Savannah on April 17, 2024, as we were hearing the history