THE ENCOURAGER
Title: The Perfect Way Makes Perfect Sense
by Harvey L. Gardner
The Perfect Way Makes Perfect Sense
I received a letter from a friend who had recently become a
Christian. He mentioned that he heard no bells and whistles, nor did he
experience anything dramatic at the moment of his conversion to Christianity.
He added, though, that he was certain of his salvation, as certain as he
would have been if had been struck blind, like Paul on the road to Damascus.
I wish more people understood that most of the time, there are no bells
and whistles. No rushing winds and tongues of fire. Accepting Christ is
a simple, conscious, rational decision, one of child-like faith.
Everything
doesn't immediately turn up roses; we're not promised that. We're promised
salvation from sin. from the mean, selfish, sinful world we must live in
until we pass to our eternal residence with God. We have to learn to cope
with the world, the sinful world, in a new way.
It is a way that is both
easy and hard. It doesn't have to be confrontational, although many well-meaning
Christians think they must be vociferous and spectacular to prove they're
saved.
But studying Jesus and His ministry, one sees just the opposite.
He didn't force Himself or His beliefs on anybody. He didn't write letters
to the editor or stage protests. He didn't shout anybody down. He didn't
endorse social or political positions. He didn't try to influence the government
to pass laws favorable to his beliefs.
He walked quietly, humbly, and
obediently among the sinners, accepting them as they were, where they were,
loving them and hating their sins, but always loving and forgiving them
just for their asking.
That's the big stumbling block, the simple asking.
It doesn't appear rational. It doesn't become rational until after one believes.
Then the scales fall from their eyes and the scriptures suddenly are understandable.
Only after one believes and acts on that belief, does one truly understand
the scriptures and see the perfect way makes perfect sense.
Most people
can't get over the fact that you don't have to DO anything to earn or deserve
salvation. It's such a simple plan that people just can't accept it, at
least not enough of them do.
**********
"God puts people right through their faith in Jesus Christ. God does this
to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all: everyone
has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free
gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who
sets them free."
Romans 3: 22-24 Today's English Version
"What, then, can we boast about? Nothing! And what is the reason for this?
Is it that we obey the Law? No, but that we believe."
Romans 3: 27 Today's
English Version
HLG
Copyright 2001, Harvey L. Gardner
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