Salvation Through Jesus Christ
This past week, Pastor Kevin spoke on 1 Corinthians 1:4-10. At the heart of the teaching was the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ – is it everlasting? Can we lose it? Those are weighty issues, and while I’m not a scholar, I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences on the subject.
As I’ve mentioned in an earlier blog, I was born into a Christian household. My father was a minister for a time during my childhood, ordained by a local well-known pastor. I was raised on stories of Jesus and his disciples and accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. When I left home, I stepped away from the church and focused on myself, my job, my social life.
Later on, after I married and we had children, I stepped back to the church because I wanted my children to be exposed to Christian teachings. I wanted them to have a moral upbringing and know the Savior like I did growing up. Attending church was a regular part of their elementary years, although not quite so visible at home.
Fast forward a number of years, and I found myself again at a time in my life when attending church and putting Jesus first wasn’t there. I still believed in Jesus, but I didn’t spend my time in the Word and, more importantly, with other believers. I attended a retreat (www.graceadventure.org) , and found my way back to a close relationship with Jesus.
That was eight years ago, and I’ve been blessed to keep that relationship with Christ up-front and personal since then. But I’ve been reflecting today on those “lean” years, when I didn’t put him at the center of my life. Thanking God, no matter how much I looked away, he was still always there. When I called his name, he always answered. In good times, in bad times, Jesus was always with me. I just didn’t always see him. And even today, on those rare days when I don’t feel particularly close, he’s still always there.
You see, God, through His son Jesus Christ, gave me eternal life on that day long ago when I asked him to come into my heart. He loved me then and He loves me now. My actions may sometimes make him sad, but He still loves me. My fickle human heart doesn’t always have to feel it – the Almighty One and His Son are a reality that I can hold fast to when my emotions lead me sideways. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so. Verse after verse in both the New and Old Testaments speak of His promise to me, to us. (See Pastor Kevin’s sermon dated 2.4.24 on the Rising webpage for a list of verses.)
And so, dear friend, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when my time comes, I’ll be blessed to see Him in heaven, with Jesus Christ at his right hand, my own heart that is imbued with the Holy Spirit leaping in joy. I pray that you too, dear reader, can know Him as I do.
Blessings,
Sally