salvation

A Pathway to Citizenship

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But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12 KJV

Acceptance is something all of us long to experience. Feeling hopeless because of war, poverty or violence many travel across borders without documents searching for a place to belong. There is plenty of debate today over the subject of illegal immigration but no matter which side of that issue you are on it may help you to picture how Jesus was treated. In the opening chapter of the Gospel of John it is noted that Jesus came into the world, but that the world did not accept Him. In fact just after His birth Herod ordered His soldiers to kill Jesus. During His public ministry His neighbors tried throwing Him over a cliff. (Aren’t you glad you don’t live in that neighborhood!). Later some of the most powerful religious leaders of His day plotted to have Him executed. Their biggest issue was He was a threat to their power and that He wasn’t one of them.

But some welcomed Jesus. They were folks whose identity was also not well received. These were societal outsiders, like a five time divorcee from Samaria, a blind beggar, a demon possessed man who lived in a graveyard and several rough fishermen. They were accustomed to being shunned by polite society and did not hold to popular notions of acceptability. To them, the power of  Jesus’ words and the love they felt in His presence could only be explained one way – He must have come from God. That simple faith granted them a very special right: -the right to be called God’s children and accepted into citizenship in Heaven!

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But we will be saved!

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But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Acts 27:22

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When Paul spoke these words the men on the ship had lost all hope of survival. Their bodies were totally exhausted from weeks of frantic effort, lack of sleep and food. As they helplessly watched giant waves crashing over the ship’s deck they may have wondered if one of those would split the boat in two and send them to the bottom of the sea. Paul’s words spoke directly to their fears and weariness. He who had been the helpless prisoner in chains was now the only one who had assurance of a way out and for rescue. But to his life giving message each of Paul’s listeners had a different response. The owner and the captain may have felt ashamed for beginning the voyage at all. To them God extended mercy and a chance for a new start. To the soldiers and sailors aboard there came the startling thought that this weak puny preacher on board was in reality their best hope of survival in a storm. To his fellow prisoners Paul was a beacon of hope that they would not only survive the storm but that they, like Paul could put their faith in God.

Right now God is offering to go with us through our storms. Jesus Christ continues to send us messengers of hope at mid-night. At this exact moment God offers the hope of salvation to everyone who chooses to sail with Paul. We are all in the same boat. We all sail through the same storms. But we also all have the same promise: The boat may be lost but if we put our faith in God then we will be saved!

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I Want My Lawyer!

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 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV

What does Jesus mean when He says He doesn’t give us a peace like the world’s peace? Try thinking of a scene from whatever is your favorite crime show. There inevitably comes a climactic moment when  the bad guy is arrested. Then just as the good guys begin to question him he shouts, “I’m not saying anything until I have my lawyer!”

Lawyers are also our greatest hope when we are in trouble. If you look back at the previous verse you will see that Jesus is telling us that He will send us the Holy Spirit; as our advocate (Lawyer).  That is because you, I and everyone else who ever was born has been put under arrest and faces the death penalty because of sin. The only hope we have in the sentencing portion of our trial is to have a good lawyer. Jesus is promising us the best in the universe; if we will put our faith in Him.

So we walk into the courtroom with the Holy Spirit by our side. When the evidence is presented proving our guilt He tells the judge that the prosecution has entered into a plea bargain with the defense. We have agreed by faith to repent, confess our sin and put our faith in Jesus. In exchange the penalty we faced now will fall on: Jesus Christ The Holy Son of God. The judge listens carefully then before the hushed heavenly courtroom He brings down His gavel and says “Not Guilty!” Then He steps down from the bench, opens his arms and embraces us crying; “Welcome home child!”

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Now if that isn’t peace I don’t know what is. That is because our everlasting peace is a person not a feeling. What a gift we have been given. What a peace we have. It is a peace that the world cannot give and that no one can  take away!