Have you ever been in a heated discussion with a lost person about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Perhaps they insisted that Jesus was just a good prophet or teacher. Maybe they questioned the historical accuracy of the Scripture and Resurrection. Even in your strong convictions and your grounded faith, maybe it seemed like you were talking to a brick wall. They weren't getting it! Unfortunately the world is filled with people just like this. In their skepticism and cynicism, they deny the power and work of the cross. It's a sad condition. We, too, have been in this same condition before the veil of our eyes and heart were opened to the Gospel.
The Cross is a glorious thing! In our limited minds, we cannot completely fathom all that God did through Christ through this work, but we should think about it often! It should lead us to greater praise and deeper devotion! This week I am working on a short essay on what it means to be "reconciled" to God through Jesus Christ. Wow! What a gift! Christ's death didn't just appease God's wrath and justice, but restored mankind into a favorable relationship with Him again (upon salvation). John MacArthur states it this way:
In justification, the sinner stands before God guilty and condemned, but is declared righteous (Rom. 8:33). In redemption, the sinner stands before God as a slave, but is granted his freedom (Rom. 6:18-22). In forgiveness, the sinner stands before God as a debtor, but the debt is paid and forgotten (Eph. 1:7). In reconciliation, the sinner stands before God as an enemy, but becomes His friend (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). In adoption, the sinner stands before God as a stranger, but is made a son (Eph. 1:5).
Oh, to grace, how great a debtor, daily I'm constrained to be! Wow, the work of the Cross! Yet, the world doesn't get it!
I was in 2nd grade the first time I really tried to tell somebody about Jesus Christ. His name was Mark. Mark, for all practical purposes, was just mean. He was the class bully, the jerk of the elementary school. So, one day I decided to try to tell him about Jesus Christ and I just KNEW he'd listen and be changed by God. I knew it! Well, needless to say, it didn't go that well. I stumbled through my short presentation with a stutter and in fear, and Mark didn't get it. In fact, that second grader cussed me out! I was devastated! To be honest, it was some 4 years later before I ever tried sharing my faith again! I took it personal. He rejected me. I was a failure!
Wrong. When the world rejects Jesus Christ they are not rejecting you! Yes, you should have compassion for them and be burdened for the lost world! This burden should spur you to pray for the lost and do EVERYTHING you can to reach them. Yet, you have to remain objective about it. Salvation is objective in the sense that it originates only in God's work through Jesus Christ! We didn't orchestrate salvation! God did! Only God can save! You be faithful to present the Gospel as God leads you and you leave the results up to Him! It certainly takes the pressure of! Amazingly, when we take this approach God typically will blow our minds with the conversations we get to have!
I've seen God save a drug dealer, a prostitute, a gang member, a murderer, and much "worse" received the free gift of mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. God, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, is mighty to save! Yet, not all will be saved!
Another thought from the verse above. This process of salvation is linear until Christ's return. We are in the process of salvation now. Yes, we may have prayed a prayer of faith that has sealed our eternity, but the salvation doesn't take place until the return of Christ takes us home to glory! During this process, we should be working out our faith (Philippians 2:12-13).
On a final note, the Cross bestows God's power! As Christians, you have tapped into that power source for your eternal security, but have you plugged into it for daily life?
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