Jesus Christ

The Transaction

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In 1957 Bill Bright wrote a presentation of that Gospel which he called, “The Four Spiritual Laws”. Since then – The Four Spiritual Laws – have been used in tracts, sermons and personal testimonies millions of times the world over to successfully lead people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The following is a special way of looking at those four core beliefs with just one additional word – the word still.

  • God Still loves you; knows where you are and has a wonderful plan for your life.

For many people in institutions, it is easy to feel forgotten. Their address is no longer 231 Main Street; it is now just room 22 – window.

We are simply sent as messengers to tell folks that just as God watches every sparrow and counts every hair on our heads, he also still remembers where we live.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 ESV

  • Man is Still sinful even in old age.

We may continue to harbor resentments, anger and bitterness. These can still be the things that separate us from God. Only as we see ourselves as we really are can we see God’s way of forgiveness and mercy.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 KJV

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10 KJV

  • Jesus is Still God’s only provision for sin.

No church no ritual or charitable contributions will cover up our guilt. Only the precious blood of Jesus Christ can buy our pardon. Only the cross is enough to pay for our sins.

 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:10 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

  • We Still must individually choose to believe in Jesus Christ and receive His gift of eternal life.

This is not only a philosophy. It is a real-time event! In a way salvation is like shopping at Walmart for a hat. We go to that store because we know that the door will always be open. We look through the racks until we find the hat that we need. We try it on and carry it to the cash register.

woman wearing sunhat

Photo by Tuấn Kiệt Jr. on Pexels.com

But that hat is still not ours! A transaction still has to take place. Of course unlike at Walmart, we cannot pay for what we need. When we get to heaven’s cash register and God rings up the price it is so high that no one could ever pay. But as we give up and turn to put the hat back on the shelf, Jesus steps in and offers to pay. He empties his pockets and gives all that He has to buy – not a hat; but the salvation that we so desperately need. He gave Himself on the cross that we might receive the gift of eternal life.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV

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!

Imported from phone 147

What can Separate?

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When I was just a small child my mother packed her bags and while my father was working she left with me in her arms to live with my grandparents. The separation was devastating to my Dad but as I was only about a year old I had no understanding of what had happened. One day my father had been there. The next I was separated. Between that moment and my middle teen years I only saw my father twice and then for only an hour or so.

When I was fifteen years old my father was finally able to have a custody hearing. That afternoon I entered into the judge’s chambers alone and he asked me a single question, “Do you like your father?”

“I don’t know.” I answered truthfully shrugging my shoulders. I don’t know who he is” I didn’t realize that I had actually passed right by my dad and step-mother on the way in to the court.

“Then I’m going to give you a chance to get to know him.” The judge answered.

In much the same way, our heavenly father is sitting just outside the courtroom of eternity. Because of our sins we have been legally separated from him. Under the cover of night, they have taken us from His house. But when Jesus gave His last drop of blood for us on the cross a cosmic earthquake took place. We were called into court and Heaven’s custody hearing began a single question. “Do you like your father?”

Though it took me a lifetime to build a relationship with my father he made it all possible because nothing was able to separate me from his love. The promise of God is that nothing can separate us from His love and He has planned an eternal relationship for you and I. His Son Jesus Christ suffered and died to buy that opportunity for us, but in order to award custody Heaven’s judge is waiting on our answer.

 

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