"Imputed"

  What is it like to not have your sins "imputed" against you? What does it mean to not "impute" sin? David speaks of  his sins before God as being "imputed" in Psa. 32 and Paul repeats David's statement in Rom. 4:7-8. Depending on the version you use, some will use the term "count". Some will use the term "reckon". Others will use the term "not guilty". Is there such a person living today to whom the Lord does not "impute", never count, not reckon, not consider guilty of their sins? Yes, those who are in the covenant relationship with the Lord. "For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (Heb. 8:12) That's the covenant we are under when we came to being immersed into Jesus.

  In the book of Philemon, there was a runaway slave named Onesimus. Onesimus had some way (by the help of God) found Paul and Paul led him to Jesus. Paul said that Onesimus was useless and because of Christ, he was now useful. Paul sent Onesimus back to his master Philemon. That's what the law required. Apparently Onesimus had stolen from Philemon when he ran away. Here is Paul's statement to Philemon: "If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account." (Philemon 17-18)

  How could Paul say such? Where did Paul learn that kind of heart? He got it from the Lord! We have debts we could not pay because of our sins. Our debts were tremendous and we were doomed. When we came to Jesus, God gives to us in the place of our debts Jesus Himself! Jesus was treated like we should have been treated. Jesus took our pains, our scourging and our punishment. Why? So God could treat us like He should have treated Jesus!! Here is Jesus who says to the Father, "Accept Brent (put your name here) as you would accept Me, and if Brent has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to My account." SINS IMPUTED!