Do you know what amazes me about our Savior?
It's the astounding truth that because of the cross, that by His death and resurrection, Jesus makes possible the free gift of salvation by grace through faith! Sometimes I have a difficult time wrapping my head around the Lord's willingness to die for me and I feel undeserving of His sacrifice. Do I see you nodding your head because you can relate?
As a Christian, I know I'm saved because I accepted Jesus into my heart and into my life. In the book of John, Jesus tells us this, "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life." (John 5:24 NLT)
Read that through a dozen times and let this truth fill your heart. We don't have to be perfect. We can't earn our salvation, nor can we buy it. We simply have to listen to the gospel message and believe in God who sent his only Son to earth with one incredible task...to save souls!
Do I still mess up? You better believe it.
I'm about to become vulnerable here so please be gentle with your reproach. I'm a sinner...my thoughts aren't always pure and I don't always say words that are God honoring. I don't always love my neighbor as myself and yes, I don't always put the toilet seat down! I'm a by-product of a fallen world and a human being in need of a Savior. Aren't we all?
The other night when I was feeling especially unworthy of Jesus, I dreamt something that caused me to reflect on the incredible gift of salvation. In my dream stood a long vertical pole running from ground level and disappearing straight up into the sky. Attached to the shaft at eye level was a large bowl. I asked Jesus what was in the bowl and He simply replied, "Your sins." Then the container began to rise and was gone from my sight! And no I don't usually have dreams like that!
I woke up sobbing at the realization that God loves me, that by simply believing in Jesus, I could experience this profound truth. "He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12 NLT) Those sixteen words are life changing!
My dear friends, not one of us is perfect in God's eyes. But because of Jesus we can one day be in His presence without fear or condemnation. That's the amazing part of Christianity. So the next time you feel underserving of God's love and forgiveness; remember this, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:9 NLT)
Your part and mine is to simply respond to God's invitation with a resounding "YES!" It's then we are made new in Christ Jesus and your heavenly future is secured! How wonderful that our Lord chooses to love us even when we don't deserve it.
Now that's amazing!
Paul Smyth
