He Brings Salvation

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

(Hebrews 9:27-28)

Meditation

When I was a twenty something the thought of my possible mortality was just not in my wheelhouse. I wasn’t concerned because I was young and healthy, not a worry in the world. I knew I wasn’t invincible or immortal, but I had no thoughts of my death whatsoever. Since mortality wasn’t part of my thought process, neither was any consequence for sin. I didn’t believe in God, so there was no one to be accountable to except myself. The thought of having to stand before the Judge of the universe, never crossed my mind.

I wouldn’t do well at all if I had to stand before that Judge without being cleansed by the blood. I don’t even like thinking back on those days of selfishness, covetousness, and greediness. If Christ didn’t die on that cross, if eons of men and woman sharing the gospel, if an evangelist hadn’t spoken one night, if the Holy spirit hadn’t broken through my stony heart, I’d still be on my way to hell. The Holy Spirit told me Jesus died once for ALL of my sins.

G.K. Chesterton once said, "The issue is now clear. It is between light and darkness and everyone must choose his side." I have been given, along with everyone else, the opportunity by our gracious Lord and Savior, to choose to accept his free offer of salvation or turn it down. There are no other choices, no gray areas of interpretation. It’s only the name of Jesus that gains me access to the Father in heaven. By not choosing Christ, I am choosing the side of darkness, which will eventually land me in hell. The side of darkness will give you all the reasons in the world not to choose Jesus, but in the end, you’re doomed.

Sin came into the world through one man, Adam. The debt for sin was paid for by one man, Jesus. We all owe a debt to the Father for our sins, which is punishable by death. Jesus died for us on the cross paying that sin debt. Jesus came the first time as a humble servant bearing our sins on his shoulders. At his Second Coming he will not come to pay for our sins but to put sin and sinful men away once and for all time. He will thereby save those who are intensely waiting for him.

Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father we are so grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ. He didn’t come in his first advent to bring judgment on us. He came to bring salvation to unworthy people, unable to save themselves. His sacrificial blood has cleansed us once and for all time. We just have to reach out and accept his lordship over our lives. His second advent, however, he will not come to bear our sins on the cross again. He will raise from the dead those who belonged to him when they died. He will come for those who eagerly await him, to give them immortal bodies to live with him forever in heaven. We can’t wait for that day when we are in your presence. We can’t wait for the day when our physical pains and infirmities will be left behind, and we’ll celebrate eternity with no more tears. Help us to succumb to the purveyors of darkness that would have us choose to reject Jesus. We bow to his leadership and declare him to be the Lord of our lives. We thank you for your Spirit that guides us every day as we begin to wander from the righteous path. In Jesus’ name, we pray! Amen!