A Perfect Peace

After hearing a relative talking about her family heritage and a father who had taught her what it meant to be a Christian I could tell that she was leaning hard on her own efforts for salvation.  This was not a surprise to me, given the background of our family's spiritual roots.  Even so, when it was said in the way that it was said it struck me to the core that this dear woman may not have the assurance of salvation that is so readily available to those who believe.  That breaks my heart.

The gift of salvation is a just that...a gift.  Not something we earn or strive to accomplish.  The work of salvation was done on a rugged cross about two thousand years ago by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was finished when having defeated Satan and Death He rose again declaring permanent victory and the elimination of sin's curse to all who believe in Him.  Our belief that on the day of judgement we will not get to heaven by declaring that we were a good person, that we did more good than evil or that we tried as hard as we could.  Our only acceptable answer on that day will be that we are hiding in Christ.  He paid the price for our salvation.  In Him our sins were dealt with and we are clean.  That is it.  There is no more.

But lets talk about the works that are so often confused for salvation, shall we?  These works are also gifts.  Given to us through the Holy Spirit as our hearts are changed.  We are told that we will bear fruit that will show ourselves and others that we are changed.  We are His.  I love that God grants us a visible turning from death to life.  That He molds our hearts to do His will.  The process of being sanctified is not always easy but it is so good for us.  In that process we become able to share with others and help them along the way.


And yet...it is granted to those who believe...those He calls...those He justifies...those he glorifies.   We find this in Romans 8:30.  What an awesome chain of events.  It is ALL Him.  Not of us ....no cause for pride or boasting in ourselves.