Yesterday morning we sat out on a deck overlooking the oceanfront here in North Carolina.  I was reading in the book of Numbers (still stuck in that book J) and Karen was reading a hymn . . . when she asked “what is surety?”  -the hymn she was reading was “Arise, My Soul, Arise” - #129 in the Favorite Hymns of Praise book.  We talked some on this, then I looked up the term and felt inspired to write the following commentary.  How does one go about posting stuff like this on the Glenvale blog / website?

The hymn “Arise, My Soul Arise”, (#129 in Favorite Hymns of Praise) notes “Before the throne my surety stands . . .”

What is surety?

1: the state of being sure: as a : sure knowledge : certainty b : confidence in manner or behavior : assurance

2a : a formal engagement (as a pledge) given for the fulfillment of an undertaking : guarantee b : a basis of confidence or security

3: one who has become legally liable for the debt, default, or failure in duty of another

My surety, Jesus, stands before the throne of God.

You see, there is a formal engagement between me and God.  This formal engagement involves several key points, each of which requires specific performance from the other party.  God has agreed to adopt me back into His family as a child.  God forgives the fact that I had wandered far away from Him.  I agree to live for Him, be a reflection of Him, consistently orient myself in His direction, and point others to Him.

The problem that presents itself in this engagement is that God has no basis for confidence that I, as a person, will be able to satisfactorily perform the activities required of my by this engagement.  My best efforts are simply not enough to be holy as God is holy. So, as in any formal engagement where one party to a contract needs some assurance of the fulfillment of the terms and conditions of the contract, surety is required.  Someone who has more credibility than the primary party to the contract needs to stand in and provide a guarantee.  Someone who has more capacity than the primary party needs to commit that capacity to be drawn upon in the event of a default by the primary party.

The contract I have signed with God is one which I have little capacity to fulfill.  Unfortunately, when I fail to fulfill the specific activities of this engagement, I rightly earn the wrath of God, resulting in an engagement which is completely broken.

Jesus stands before the throne of God as my surety.  He pleads with God on my behalf and brings fulfillment of the terms of the engagement.  In Him, I experience the fulfillment of God’s promises of forgiveness.

James Good CLU®, CFP®, ChFC®