NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!
“Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Peter 3:18).
Let me ask you a question: Have you ever doubted a speaker—Pastor, Politician, Policeman or President? Perhaps you are like many of us who are cynics and skeptics. We live in a world of uncertainty. We have been lied to far too many times to believe everything someone says or someone has written. Yet the old saying is true that the only thing that is certain is death and taxes. I would venture to say there is yet another certainty. In this world the only thing that seems certain is uncertainty.
Study your life and the world we live in and you will have to acknowledge that it is true—the only thing that seems certain is uncertainty. The economy moves in fits, it flares up and it fizzles— forward and backward; up or down it goes. A job that seems secure today could be gone tomorrow. After years of a perfect driving record, car insurance could be canceled after just one incident. Health insurance premiums can skyrocket despite good health and an untouched deductible. A nagging cough or pain could turn out to be something that ends up taking the life of a loved one. The only thing that seems certain is uncertainty.
Imagine a far more important scene. Imagine that you die and arrive at the entrance to heaven. At the Pearly Gate you are greeted warmly, “Welcome home, child of God! You’ve run the race; you’ve relied on Christ Your Savior for the forgiveness of YOUR sins and His blood has made you clean and holy. You are saved by grace alone! Come on in!”
As you walk through heaven’s gate, someone holding your file folder stops you. “I’m sorry, but your salvation has been put on hold. There’s some question as to whether or not Jesus’ blood actually paid for all your sins. There were some things you did when you were younger that are being reevaluated. You pushed the envelope too far and really pushed God’s grace to the limit. Also at issue is the validity of Jesus’ one-time sacrifice on the cross. Does the blood of Christ really save? Does it cover the debt of ALL sin? In your case, we’re not sure. Just sit tight while we reevaluate your status.” The great deceiver and accuser—Satan can whisper and place doubt in your heart and soul, that your sins are too many and too terrible to be forgiven. Add to that, the world can mock your belief that forgiveness is free and full and complete. Don’t believe them. There is no doubt about it—they are wrong. It has happened! It has been done! “IT IS FINISHED!” (John 19:30). “Christ died for sins once for all!” There is no question! No doubt about it! This is sure and certain, finished and completed is the work of redemption and salvation. We can take that all the way to the bank. We can stake our whole life on it. Christ died once for all. He died for you. YES, FOR YOU HE DIED AND ROSE.
The other day, I heard someone say to his wife: “I love you with all of my heart!” and her response was this: “I know. There is no doubt about it!” Isn’t it wonderful when we know we are loved; when we don’t doubt the speaker who is before us; when we believe what they say to us and take it to heart!
How much more then are the words of St. Peter who tells us: “Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous.”
This is a staggering statement of undeserved grace. Christ, the “righteous” One, died for the “unrighteous” and undeserving—that’s you and me. He died for the entire world, but most importantly and personally, He died for you. Against the backdrop of this sure and certain truth, every moment can be lived with the confidence that the debt of your sin is paid in FULL. With this rock-solid truth in place, you have a most certain salvation—in Christ the ONLY TRUE GOD AND LORD.
Therefore, as we rush here and there to prepare for the birth of the Savior of the world, may we not lose focus of why He came to earth and took upon Him human flesh—He came to die your death and earn you a place with Him in heaven. There is no doubt about it.
So, when the opportunity arises KINDLY share the Good News of the Birth of JESUS the Savior of the world with the certainty of why God sent Him to us. For sure, there is no doubt about it.
Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!
In Christ’s love and in His service,
Rev. Nabil S. Nour Pastor and Foot Washer Phil. 1:6
No comments:
Post a Comment