Focus on Jesus SALVATION IS A GIFT
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:13, 14.
We are reminded in the story of the Pharisee and the publican that salvation is a gift. It isn't something we can secure by our fasting or by our tithing, or by any good work that we might do that we think would make us righteous. Salvation is a gift.
Jesus came one day to the Temple with His disciples. He saw the money-changers, and the buyers and the sellers, and He drove them out, saying, "Make not My Father's house a house of merchandise." There's something deeper here than just the doves and the pigeons and the lambs. God's house is not a marketplace. Salvation is not to be bought and sold. It is a gift, freely given to all who will accept. Jesus indicated in our text for today that the ones who can't pay are invited to the gospel feast. He calls the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind--those who cannot repay Him for His kindness--to come to His table. And He invited us to relate to other people in the same way that He deals with us.
The publican prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Do you have to be bad in order to make this kind of confession? Do you have to be scooped out of the gutter? Do you have to be a criminal? Paul wasn't. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He lived a blameless life, so far as outward actions were concerned. But one day he had seen so much of the love and righteousness of Jesus that he was willing to say, I am the chief of sinners.
But it's more than just a matter of saying the right words. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that conviction can be brought so that we mean the words we say. The Holy Spirit brings conviction as we look to Jesus and learn of Him and His love for us. If I want to be sure to stand in the publican's shoes today and experience true repentance, what do I do? I go and study about Jesus and what He has already done for me; and it will break my heart. I will realize that I am one of those who cannot repay Him, and yet was invited to His table. When this happens, we accept the sacrifice provided for us, and we, too, will be justified.
But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:13, 14.
We are reminded in the story of the Pharisee and the publican that salvation is a gift. It isn't something we can secure by our fasting or by our tithing, or by any good work that we might do that we think would make us righteous. Salvation is a gift.
Jesus came one day to the Temple with His disciples. He saw the money-changers, and the buyers and the sellers, and He drove them out, saying, "Make not My Father's house a house of merchandise." There's something deeper here than just the doves and the pigeons and the lambs. God's house is not a marketplace. Salvation is not to be bought and sold. It is a gift, freely given to all who will accept. Jesus indicated in our text for today that the ones who can't pay are invited to the gospel feast. He calls the poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind--those who cannot repay Him for His kindness--to come to His table. And He invited us to relate to other people in the same way that He deals with us.
The publican prayed, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Do you have to be bad in order to make this kind of confession? Do you have to be scooped out of the gutter? Do you have to be a criminal? Paul wasn't. He was a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He lived a blameless life, so far as outward actions were concerned. But one day he had seen so much of the love and righteousness of Jesus that he was willing to say, I am the chief of sinners.
But it's more than just a matter of saying the right words. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that conviction can be brought so that we mean the words we say. The Holy Spirit brings conviction as we look to Jesus and learn of Him and His love for us. If I want to be sure to stand in the publican's shoes today and experience true repentance, what do I do? I go and study about Jesus and what He has already done for me; and it will break my heart. I will realize that I am one of those who cannot repay Him, and yet was invited to His table. When this happens, we accept the sacrifice provided for us, and we, too, will be justified.
RSS Feed
