87. SO GREAT SALVATION

Dear Grandma Donna: Studies show that unbelief is on the rise these days and moral standards are deteriorating. Christians should be witnessing for their faith, but how do we tell an unbelieving world about salvation? How do we tell them that our Heavenly Father is real; His Word is powerful, and He makes our lives full of joy and happiness? Love, Savana

Dear Savana: We must not hide our faith under a bushel in these difficult times, but pray for a way to share the message of salvation with everyone possible. On every side, we see not only unbelief, but the sick, the sorrowful, the depressed and the dying; plus those who seem to be blessed in every way. All need the salvation that sets them free.  

To those who will listen, we must tell them about our Savior. Sin began in Heaven with Lucifer’s desire to be equal with God and to set up his government. Lucifer was so beautiful and eloquent that he persuaded one-third of the angels to unite with him in opposition to the Father.

This was heartbreaking to our Creator. He and His Son held a council meeting to determine how to meet the crisis. The simple way would be to blot Lucifer out of existence, but God could not do this. All of Heaven and the universe of unfallen worlds, knew the Father as a God of love. Putting Lucifer to death would make him a God of force—“Serve Me, or you will not live.”

There was only one way to reveal to the universe that love is the superior government and that was for the Son of God to come to earth to make it known. He must step down from His high position with the Father to become one of the human family and to live a life that would reveal to the universe God’s character of love.

Both the Father and the Son knew the awful cost of this demonstration, and today we know the reality of it. In becoming a human being to bear our sin, the Savior was wounded, bruised, oppressed and afflicted, and ultimately died. His death came, not from the pain of the cross, but from the pain of the broken heart He bore as His Father looked upon Him as a sinner. At any time, the Savior could have called for 10,000 angels to set Him free, but He thought of the lost human family. As His life was slipping away, His love grew stronger and stronger. “Save Our earthly children, Father, even if it costs Me My eternity.” What love! What amazing love! Calvary speaks to the universe: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

The Savior’s death made it possible for Him to give salvation to all who come to Him. We call it “so great salvation,” and truly it is an incomparable gift. What could be more wonderful than to call upon Him, who loves us with an everlasting love, ask Him to forgive every sin, then walk away cleansed and free? And we can keep that glorious salvation every day as we live and walk in harmony with our wonderful Redeemer.  

We need to make that gift known to everybody who will listen. “Jesus saves! He will take your sin and give you peace! He will give you power to stand firm against temptation! He will turn the darkness of depression into the light of His presence! He will give joy unending and full of glory!

This song by Aaron Shust says it so well:

“I am not skilled to understand

What God has willed what God has planned

I only know at His right hand

Stands One who is my Savior.

“That He would leave His place on high

And come for sinful man to die

You called it strange, so once did I

Before I knew my Savior.

My Savior loves

My Savior lives

My Savior’s always there for me.

My God He was

My God He is

My God He’s always gonna be.

EDAMAME SALAD

1 c edamame cooked

2 c frozen corn

8 oz cherry tomatoes

1 avocado diced

1/4 c red onion diced

Mix the salad together and pour this dressing over it:

DRESSING:

3 T lemon juice

1 clove garlic minced

1/2 t basil

1/2 t salt