Something old, something new, something borrowed.

I love books, but one might wonder if I like having them more than reading them if they were to observe the vast number on my bookshelves that are still waiting to be read. I possess many books that are brand new, and many that are well worn, and a few that aren’t really mine at all—they’re borrowed. And come to think of it, there are a few that are missing. Those books would fall into the category of “lent out and never returned.” I can’t complain too much when I find myself in this hypocritical state, but what I do find to be obnoxious is when the borrower has lent the item to third person as if it were theirs to loan. Because what happens when that third person misplaces it and confesses to the original borrower who freely states, “forget about it.” Wait a minute, that’s not his offense to forgive!

But when I really consider this, it’s not mine either. In fact, nothing I possess is mine; not my house, not my car, not even my family or my very life. It’s all God’s. He made it. He owns it. So how can I forgive any kind of offense, when really none can be done to me?

I imagine that’s why people were so upset when Jesus forgave the paralytic man. He was claiming to be God in the very statement, “You’re sins are forgiven,” for forgiveness can only come from God. For forgiveness may be given, but it’s not free. God had to absorb the cost.

Paul Washer says it this way, "Who, but God has life to lay down. Every other life is borrowed. God IS Life, the very SOURCE we get it from."

Does this not speak volumes to the value of Christ, and our lack of it in comparison? For although billions on billions of people have walked the Earth and committed countless offenses to God, Jesus took them all on, and His life was payment enough for each and every sin. Or do we simply forget the magnitude of our own rebellion?

In conclusion, I must remember that my life is not my own. Not the old life, nor the new. It all comes from God. It’s all borrowed.