09/11/2021
In Luke 9 we read that the apostles wanted to destroy a Samaritan village and its inhabitants for denying entry to Jesus, a Jew, but He told them otherwise. Yet, don’t we do a similar thing by judging as damned those who don’t readily follow Christ today? What is in our heart at a moment such as this? How can we call ourselves Christian, and do something so contrary to Christ? We too are meant to bring a message of salvation, and save the lost… not destroy them.
“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”
Luke 9:55-56 KJV
I knew a man in college who told me the story of his unrequited love for a young woman. He loved her to the point that his heart overflowed, but she was not ready to love him as he did her. Yet, rather than giving up on his desire he continued to pursue her by bringing her gifts and professing his love for her until at long last her heart softened and she fell in love with him. After college they married and have now been married for almost 50 years. In much the same way, Jesus does not abandon His efforts towards us, but continues to knock on our door until our final breath dwindles away, and is gone. How can we claim to love our neighbors and yet deny them every opportunity to accept Christ, and receive redemption?
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
Proverbs 14:21 KJV
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Galatians 5:14 KJV
If we deny the unrighteous access to their sole means of redemption by judging them lost, and no longer able to confess, or believe, then who are we, because in this way we are no longer Christlike, humble, and loving. Surely in doing this we are despising our neighbor, and in this way scripture tells us that the sin is ours.
“that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9 KJV
We are meant to knock, and knock again just as Jesus did with each of us, because even as our hearts were softened, and opened to believe the gospel message, and our mouths led to confess, we should always maintain hope in the power of the Spirit in the lives of every lost soul… such that they too can be saved; even in their dying breath.
“let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”
James 5:20 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us while we were yet sinners, and for sending your Son Jesus to redeem us. Thank you Lord for not giving up hope, and continuing to woo us with your Word, and the life of Christ. Thank you for the grace you extend to us through Jesus that presents itself to us until our final breath. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who loves us so completely. Praised be your name for every answered knock at the door that glorifies you. Merciful are you, and your Son who stands at our doors and knocks until His knuckles are raw; never giving up hope that an answer will come. Relentless are you in pursuit of our redemption, and patient are you as you await our acceptance in your Word, and of the saving blood of Jesus. Help us in our unbelief Father, and open our mouths to confess our sins, and pronounce our faith in Jesus. Welcome us, even until the last moment of life when we hang dying on our crosses, and express our belief in Jesus. Call us your own in that moment, whether now, or as we exhale in that final instant of earthly life, and know that we will worship you forevermore.
“And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.””
Luke 23:42-43 ESV
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
2 Peter 3:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes