It is by faith, simple faith in Christ as our Savior and Redeemer, that people’s souls are made free. It is by receiving Christ, trusting Christ, committing ourselves to Christ, placing our whole weight on Christ–it is by this, and by no other plan, that spiritual liberty is made our own. Mighty as the privileges are which those who are free in Christ possess, they all become a person’s property on the day that they first believe. They may not yet know their full value, but they are all their own. They that believe in Christ are not condemned, rather they are justified, are born again, are an heir of God, and have everlasting life.
It is interesting to look at the nature of our salvation and see our total dependence on Christ, our total need for grace and the total requirement of faith. Salvation, top to bottom, is designed to take us out of the equation "so that no man should boast". Yes we need to exercise our faith. Yes we need to respond to God's prompting and pleading. But all of that, I dare say, is secondary to Jesus' primary work on our behalf.
I'm beginning to realize that we really don't know how bad and pervasive sin is. We don't know how much we really don't want God to tell us what to do. He has protected us so much, he has graced us so profoundly that we think that there is something intrinsic in us that is seeking after Him. If there is one ounce of desire for God in your heart and mind, that thought, that impulse came from God.
Thankfully, God is continuing to call people to Himself. As this day dawns, it is another day God has made available for us to respond in the faith that He graciously provides. So whether today is the day we put our trust in Christ for the first time, for the first time realizing that everything depends on Him or today is another day we wake up and praise, thank and worship God for all that He has given us in Christ, let us each rejoice!
To God Alone be the Glory
No comments:
Post a Comment