IN JESUS NAME

     When I was a young man I found myself in the horrible position of trying to take out a bank loan to purchase a new pickup truck. Of course,  my credit was poor and my assets and liabilities did not equal the collateral with the truck for the bank to lend me the money, so they turned me down.  A few days later I was visiting my dad and as we set out under the big tree in the front yard I confessed to him about the fact that I could not get the loan for my new truck. He asked me a few questions that related to how much down payment I had, what kind of insurance I would have on it, how much I needed the loan for with total price and most importantly, would I pay it off. After answering all his questions to his satisfaction he looked at me and said, "Meet me at the bank first thing tomorrow morning.
     The next day dad and I walked into the bank together and asked to speak to the loan officer. We sat down and the loan officer started to explain to dad why they turned me down for the loan when my dad interrupted him and said, "I know all about that but what we are here for is to tell you that I will co-sign his note with him. If he fails to pay it off, I will make good for it". The loan officer didn't bat an eye but said, " Of course, Mr. James, I'll draw up the papers right away".  The loan was approved and a few days later dad and I went to the dealer ship and I drove my new truck home. I could not obtain the loan on my own. The bank gave me the loan on my dad's co-signature. I guess you could say the bank authorized the loan with or  in my dad's name.
     People in the Christian Faith can only find forgiveness, salvation, grace and mercy with the God of Abraham in the name of Jesus Christ. You see, Jesus paid the price of conquering death to resurrection that empowered Him by God Almighty to mediate between God and mankind a line of communication. The only chance of a relationship man has with God is the credible co-signor of the faith, Jesus Christ, as in John 3:16. Jesus is the signature of God that enables us to obtain the blessings God has for us but are truly unworthy to obtain.
     When we pray, we should close our partitions with "In Jesus Name".  When we live out our lives we should endeavor to live in Jesus Name so our God will recognize the signature on our lives and grant to us His Mercies of peace, joy and love that comes from His Forgiveness. There is a warning I would like you to understand that comes from defaulting in Jesus Name.
     When we confess our sins to God and ask for salvation in Jesus Name and are saved by His Grace, it means He has co-signed for our salvation to God and we are forever obligated to Him for a debt we can never repay. Should we falter in our faith walk it is the same as being late on a payment. It is true that Jesus is our constant mediator for our sins but God is not happy with us because we have shown disrespect to the Name who has co-signed for our faith,  who in fact, just also happens to be His only Son. God judges that our souls will be forgiven but our bodies must live in the circumstances we have chosen through sin. This is the horrible penalty of committing sin while living as a benefactor in Jesus Name. Living in the name of Jesus means to respect and act out our lives in such a way as to honor, glorify and uplift the Name of the Anointed One as our living testament to God. We can never pay the full debt that Jesus has already paid. All we can do is make our daily payments, to the best of our ability in childlike faith and honest devotion to obedience to God's Commandments. The greatest commandment being, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, IN JESUS NAME.