salvation

Making The Ladder Fit

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To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 1 Corinthians 9:22 ESV

A friend of ours told us a story about how his elderly father asked him to put a ladder into his tool shed. The problem was not that they didn’t want to help but that the shed was just too small.  No matter how they turned and twisted the ladder it wouldn’t go all the way in. But all through the struggle dad kept insisting that they keep trying! The message of about Jesus is a lot like that ladder. It is long enough to reach all the way to heaven but we need to present it in a way that fits into the shed.

Between the Coronavirus, cancelled church services and protest marches, people have a lot of stuff going on in their lives. We need to catch their attention in a hurry. A lot can be said about the shallowness of comments on Twitter but I love that it forces us to get to the point. In the same way if the gospel is going to be heard then we need to cut out unnecessary words; make a clear point and do it creatively. We have the best news in the universe – the love of God in Jesus Christ. There is nothing even remotely boring about His forgiveness or gift of salvation and eternal life. We just need to ask God for a way to share it that will be like a ladder short enough to fit into every heart!

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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

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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

Meeting Jesus

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His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire. Revelation 1:14 KJV

On the first Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene met Jesus outside of the tomb. Jesus was right there, but until He revealed himself to her she thought He was just the gardener. What is Jesus really like? What would it be like to meet with Jesus? John the Apostle says of his own unexpected meeting with Jesus on the Island of Patmos. Imagine how John felt! How do we relate to a God with flaming eyes that see into the deepest places of our soul? When John first saw Jesus he tells us that he fell down in a dead faint!

body of water near mountain

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It was too overwhelming seeing Jesus even for a moment! But Jesus came and put out his hand to touch John and said:

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Revelation 1:17 KJV

Jesus knows every detail of our lives, and He wants us to know Him. Easter Sunday means finding Jesus is not only alive, but alive and wanting us to know Him. Are you waiting outside a tomb of dying hopes and wondering where Jesus is today? The message of Easter is that He will come just when we least expect. He knows all about us and He is waiting to come and change our lives forever! What a wonderful Risen Lord! What a Savior we have waiting for us again this Easter!