05/05/2023
Salvation... living our lives as God expects... this is just too hard and no one can possibly accomplish such a thing. I can never be saved! Is this the way you think about God’s judgement and what will become of you? Well, rejoice, because there is hope, and redemption lies just ahead.
“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
1 Peter 4:17 ESV
As sinful creatures we are faced with our own failure. Our sins stare us in the face and convict us at every turn. So how are we to achieve salvation? How can we pass the test and enter heaven when the only passing mark is 100%? Don't feel dejected and alone, even the disciples felt this way. They asked Jesus how they could possibly be saved, just as we ask today...
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"”
Matthew 19:25 ESV
There is one thing to keep in mind about salvation, and that is this... salvation isn't something man concocted! No, salvation was all God's idea and in His mercy He came up with a way to reunite us with Himself. Do you believe He is perfect? Then believe that His plan for our salvation is perfect as well. He sent His son as a sacrifice for our sins, and he paved a new road to heaven for us in doing so. All that we must do is believe...
“And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"”
Mark 9:23-24 ESV
Mark 9:24 is one of my favorite scriptures; it tells us that not only did God provide us a way back to a sinless state, but that he helps us in achieving it; "help my unbelief!" Through Jesus, His Word, and the Holy Spirit God will help us in our unbelief. No sin is too great, no commandment impossible, He helps us thrive in the gospel...
“But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."”
Matthew 19:26 ESV
I was in a math class in high school that was tough. Every student in the class was struggling and as we neared the end of the semester it became obvious that the "bell curve" principle of grading was failing miserably. The class was barely making passing marks. It was then that the instructor announced a series of extra credit assignments, extra help, and a strategy of forgiving our worst grades that would restore our ability to be successful. He didn't do this for us, but rather for himself. He was providing us a means of restoring the class to its proper balance. God went much further than this teacher... in His class there was no "curve"; every student had to have a perfect grade... 100%... A+.
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that God is omniscient, omnipresent, perfect, and infallible? Then believe this... He has a plan for your salvation and it is perfect.
“Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 26:26-28 ESV
God manifests Himself in His most magnificent manner when we are failing the worst! He matches our iniquities and sins with His grace; a grace that is more than sufficient. Believe, and trust in Him. Forgive and be forgiven by Him. Love and be loved by Him; and in all of this FEAR NOT!
When I was in my first few weeks at the Virginia Military Institute, my company was taken to the edge of a high cliff and instruction began regarding how we could successfully repel into the valley far below. I was more than just afraid; I was nearly petrified with fear, but the more the instructor talked about how this could be done, the more I believed I could do it. When at last he asked "who wants to go first?" I stepped forward. Yes, I still had fear, and yes, if given the opportunity I would have walked (maybe run) away from that precipice, but I also felt that I could do it. So with the help of the instructor I tied the ropes around my waist, and then ever so slowly I backed off of the cliff and onto the rock face. I was 150 feet above the floor of the valley, but I trusted in my instruction, the rope, and my instructor. As I began my descent I became more and more confident and by the time I was half way down I was bounding off of the rocks and dropping through the air... confident and successful.
I could have let my fear of heights paralyze me. I could have let the fear of failure keep me from one of my life's most thrilling moments, but I took those first tentative steps over the cliff, and overcame those fears by having faith in the rope, the harness, and the instruction I had received. Our initial commitment to God and our faith in a His Word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is very similar... we are afraid of failure, but if we will listen to the voice of God and trust in His Word, then stepping off into the vapor of our faith will become the greatest moment in our lives.
All things are possible in God. Those things which require perfection can be restored to us by His forgiveness and grace.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”
Ephesians 1:7-10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for talking me over the cliff of my own fear. I thank you for encouraging me to believe in your perfect protection, and forgiveness. Holy Father I entrust myself to your plan for my salvation and your love for me. Lord, I love you more than life itself, and I place my faith in your mercy and grace to forgive me my failures and sins. Your love for me is a mystery, but it is also a fact, and in it I am certain of salvation. Thank you for the blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and the flesh that I taste in communion. Never let me forget His sacrifice because it is a monument to your love, and the seal of my salvation. Father, I am on the face of my faith's cliff, and I bound further into air with each release I make to You. When my feet finally rest firm on the floor of heaven, let me look back from wince I have come and realize that it has been a wonderful journey... full of lessons, faith, and trust in you. Praised be your name!
Rich Forbes