Day 38 - Friday

Day 38

 

"For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory."  Colossians 1:27 (NLT)

As we explore the idea of salvation and the hope that it secures for our mind, let us not forget that it is not something separate from Christ himself.  Just as he is truth, righteousness, author of our faith and the Prince of peace, so also is he our Savior.  He is the rescuer, the saving Messiah who comes to redeem us.  We can say like Job, "I know my Redeemer lives." 

 

Because he lives, and stands as our salvation, we can know that our salvation is secure.  There is much debate in the Body of Christ about whether or not there is "eternal security."  And on both sides of the debate, there are many scriptures to support both arguments.  But after reading the scripture for myself and studying it, I believe there is a better way of looking at it. 

 

I believe our salvation is more secure than we believe, yet within the confines of our free will.  Our human nature likes to put things into a category, who's in and who's out.  Religion continues to follow this theme, adding its own brand of spiritual labels.  Under the threat of losing our salvation and going to hell, religion seeks to control and make people "behave." 

 

But this fear-based, performance-based spirituality is not spirituality at all.  Jesus came to save us from all things that separate us from God.  Sin separates us, but also fear driven obedience to rules separate us too.  Jesus came to establish us in love, letting us for the first time get a glimpse of the love of God. 

 

Paul called it the riches and glory of Christ that was given to us.  And the best of all, this salvation allows Christ now to live within us by his Spirit.  We now can wear this assurance of his salvation covers us.  We now can live without fear of losing our salvation.  Perfect love casts out fear.

 

Prayer:  "Father, thank you that you have given me assurance of your salvation through Christ.  I entrust my life and my salvation to you and believe fear is cast away from me as I receive your love today.  In Christ's name, Amen."