When does salvation come?
When we look to Christ.
When we embrace him as saviour.
Astonishingly simple isn't? Claim the great promise of John 3:16:
'God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so
that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal
life.'
God the Lover
God the Giver
God the Saviour
And man, the believer. And those who believe, he has promised a new
birth.
But despite the simplicity, there are still those who don't
believer. That don't trust the promise. They can't imagine how God
could forgive their sins. It's almost too good to be true.
If only they would try. If only they would test it. But God as
polite as he is passionate. He never forces his way in. The choice
is theirs.
And for those who do come, he has promised a new birth.
Does that mean the old nature will never rear it's ugly head?
Does that mean you will instantly be able to resist
temptation?
To answer that question, compare your new birth in Christ to a
newborn baby. Can a newborn walk? Can he feed himself? Can he sing
or read or speak?
No, not yet. But someday he will.
I takes time to grow. But is the parent in the delivery room
ashamed of the baby? Is the mom embarrassed that the infant can't
spell...that the baby can't walk...the the newborn can't give a
speech?
Of course not. The parents aren't ashamed;they are proud. They know
that growth will come with tim. So deos God. 'God is being patient
with you.' He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all
people to change their hearts and lives.' 2 Peter 3:9
God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We
assume that if we fall, we aren't born again. If we stumble, then
we aren't truly converted. If we have old desires, then we must not
be a new creation.
Please remember: 'God began doing a good work in you, and i am sure
he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes
again.' Phil 1:6
In many way, your new birth in Christ is like your first: In your
new birth, God provides what you need and someone else does the
work. And just as parents are patient with their newborn, so God is
patient with you.
But there is one difference.
The first time you had no choice about being born; this time you
do.
The power is God's.
The Effort is God's.
The Pain is God's
But the choice is Yours.
- Max Lucado
