There are countless beautiful ways by which theologians and poets alike have described Christ's sacrifice. Many of the metaphors are universal and speak as much to today's audience as they did to the audience of Christians almost 2,000 years ago. However, I have a metaphor that speaks solely to modern man. Christ's sacrifice on the cross, by which He ransomed our souls, is much like overdraft protection. A bank offers such a system for those customers who fall into debt. In using overdraft protection, rather than being indebted to collectors, they simply must pay the money due to the bank and a fee as a token of gratitude for the bank having paid their debts. Similarly, Christ's death for us acts as a protection for those who fall into sin (which, of course, includes everyone). Rather than being condemned by our actions, we are given forgiveness and must repay and display our gratitude as best we can through living a life of holiness and devotion to Christ.
That being said, let us return to the situation of overdraft protection at the bank. Is this a service to be abused? Is it prudent to continuously dip into the overdraft protection? No! It is responsible to avoid falling into negative numbers in a bank account and to use the overdraft protection only as a backup when some miscalculation of funds or spending error has occurred. Likewise, our salvation is not something to abuse. It is prudent to avoid sin at all costs, so as not to fall hopelessly into a cycle of a "negative balances." Just as overdraft protection exists as a way to help those in debt to live free from debt, Christ died for us so that we may live free from sin, not so that we may indulge in it and presume forgiveness.
At a certain point, we must answer for our debts, both monetarily and spiritually. When we close bank accounts, we must settle our debts and repay the bank that protected you from the loan sharks out there. In the same way, when we die we must repay any remaining debt to our Lord by resolving the stains of sin in purgatory. The less you make use of the overdraft protection, the less debt you will need to settle with the bank. The fewer sins you commit, the holier the life that you live, the fewer stains you will need to cleanse after death.
Brings a new meaning to the phrase "economy of salvation," doesn't it?
