Surety (10-11-10)

Proverbs 11:15 - “He who is surety for a stranger will surely suffer for it, But he who hates going surety is safe.”

This verse which was written centuries ago, just like so much of the Word of God, is still applicable today. This verse warns us of what is still common ground for failure and ruin in business life. A surety (as it relates to a person) is one who stands good for another. In other words someone who has made themselves responsible for someone else.
A good example of this is Paul in his letter to Philemon. Concerning Onesimus (Philemons run away slave who was converted to Christianity) he says, "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; I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it.
It could be a very threatening thing to take responsibility for a stranger. If it were someone close to us, someone who had gained our trust we would have no problem, but surety for a stranger will result in suffering.

It's interesting though, as this verse warns "He who is surety for a stranger will surely suffer for it." but Christ did just that. He became surety for us, while we were strangers. As Romans 5:8 says, "While we were yet sinners Christ died for us." And also in Colossians 1:21 we are told that while we were alienated, enemies, in other words, strangers in our minds by wicked works, yet He has now reconciled us in His fleshly body through death, in order to present us before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.
Colossians 2:13-14 says - “When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”
In a sense, Jesus Christ said to God the father concerning us, the same thing that Paul said to Phileomon concerning Onesimus, "If they have wronged You in any way or owe you anything charge that to My account." And so He does. Every sin past, present and future are charged to Christs account, and paid for with His blood. While we were strangers He became our surety. And just like the verse said He would, He suffered for it. And not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. In 1 Peter 3:18 we read - “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 says - “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

He who is surety for a stranger will surely suffer for it.
What a savior.