A new word is on the lips of many Americans. In fact it is not a new word, but with the help of the US Government the term “bailout” has taken a hold in today’s culture in a new way. After the economic woes in recent months the banking industry received a massive bailout of $700 billion. The automotive industry requested a $40 billion bailout.  It certainly is a “hot” topic to many American tax payers. Most Americans polled are in favor of fiscal responsibility and free market enterprise.   

While the economic bailout propositions are hotly debated in the political arena, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a bailout that literally saved my life. Before this bailout my life was spinning out of control. I was a car without a steering wheel, a ship without a rudder, a man without a destiny. Make no mistake, I was not bad. I grew up in a good, loving home. I was surrounded by good, loving people. But spiritually I was bankrupt. I owed a debt I could not pay. “The wages that sin pays is death. . .” Romans 6:23. What’s more, I was not alone in this predicament. All of humanity raced towards spiritual ruin. They cannot save themselves. No amount of good works or deeds can satisfy such a large spiritual debt. When you’ve cashed in all you have and still come up short, you are in trouble indeed. Sin is like a credit card in a cashless society with an un-payable interest rate. Everyone uses it, every one’s spending is out of control, everyone owes more than they can pay and everyone stands to loose everything, even their lives.  

Then came Jesus! He never used this “credit card of sin”. He had no life-debts. He was the sole exception to the rule in sinful humanity. His “credit score” was perfect. His name above reproach, His reputation divine, His ability unlimited, His love amazing, His character unbendable. He was the Son of God Who stepped from a perfect place in Heaven into a broken place on earth to hand every person who would believe in Him a bailout package of eternal life with no strings attached. He paid off all of humanity’s “sin-debts”. It cost Him His life, to save yours. This bailout is absolutely unprecedented. Your eternal life check has been cut and signed in the blood of Jesus Christ. You can now live without the thread of damnation over your head; without the weights of this world on your shoulders.       

For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]  For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

Eph 2:8-10 AMP

 We were saved by grace! No, we did not deserve it, nor can we repay God for all He has done. Salvation is the ultimate bailout. Without accepting it by faith in Christ Jesus, you are lost forever. God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten Son so that whosoever believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) You could be the best life manager in this world but you still need this bailout.

Salvation is not a mere financial gain formula.

Salvation is not a mere social injustice eradicator.

Salvation is not merely spiritual either.

If you want to live life abundantly and eternally you must be saved! You cannot saved yourself, only Jesus Christ can bail you out!

Will you accept Him today? Will you allow Him to clean your life-slate? To forgive your debt and set you free to live victoriously? He’s done all the work already, you need to invite Him into your life to activate this salvation package.

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name

John 1:12 AMP

Accept His free gift of salvation today! Accept Him today.

Dear Jesus, thank you for this ultimate bailout. I cannot save myself. My life-debts are too big and the payment too steep for me to handle. I have sinned and fall short of Your glory. Please forgive me. I repent of my sins and believe in You. You died in my place on the cross and rose from the dead. You are my Savior. Thank you for loving me in such a way. I can never re-pay you for what You have done. And I know that with Your continued, daily help I will never have to use the “credit card of sin” again! Amen.