Day 12: Grateful for the Greatest Gift of All!
27And just as it is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment, 28so also Christ died only once as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again but not to deal with our sins again. This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul makes it clear that there is a “future” aspect to our salvation. While Jesus’ death on the cross purchased the salvation of all who turn to Him, and our salvation is sure from the moment we do, Paul writes: This time he will bring salvation to all those who are eagerly waiting for him. He WILL bring salvation? Yes, when Jesus returns He WILL bring with Him our ULTIMATE salvation, that salvation which brings with it our eternal life in heaven with Him! Sometimes we can get bogged down in living our lives here on earth, and forget that we are destined to an eternity in heaven with God. No matter how long we live here and now, it will be an incredibly short time compared with the time we will spend face-to-face with God!
If there was ever a reason for an attitude of gratitude that is it! If any of us ever needed one more reason to be grateful for the greatest gift of all here it is: salvation doesn’t just save us FROM sin and death, it saves us FOR victorious living here and now and ETERNAL LIFE with God in heaven! Anyone feeling GRATEFUL? I hope so! As we go about today, we can be sure that God is with us, no matter what! After all, if He has already saved us through Jesus’ death on the cross, and if He WILL save us for all eternity (which are just opposite sides of the same coin) then there’s really no need to worry about anything, is there. When we truly understand salvation and its continuing effect from the time Jesus purchased it for us on the cross into the infinite future, then nothing that comes our way can end it defeat, at least not ultimate defeat. Thank God for this good—make that GREAT—news!
Questions and Comments for Reflection and Action:
Have you ever thought about the future aspect of your salvation before? What assurance does it bring to you?
Take some time right now to pause, and thank God for the gift of salvation—past, present and future, and to ask Him to empower You to tell others about that great gift!