Is That The Only Thing?

Ah, the first thirty (as in two degrees below freezing) of autumn is predicted a couple of days hence, but this morning is no joke either. Yet, the high for today is supposed to go in the mid-eighties, what's up with that? I did some work yesterday, yup, actual away-from-home work. A little IT work came my way for a local business for about two hours or so with some more scheduled for this evening. God is great! I have some idea what to write this morning, but I'm flailing and flopping at it, and it just doesn't seem to be coming out of my head and into the keyboard. I believe in Jesus Christ, therefore I am saved. Is that the only thing? The temptation is to say, no, you must do this work and that work, and then give some and give some more, and so on until it resembles a religion of works. The good news is for salvation that is it. I believed and I am saved. Is there more though? Why yes, glad I asked that. We are on a great adventure with all of the elements a good adventure story contains within it.

We have the great romance. Jesus loves us and died for us to cleanse us from the stain of sin. We are the bride of Christ. One day, He will return to bring us home to Him forever. Nothing in this world can stop the arrival of our bridegroom. As the bride of Christ, we will be purified and sanctified to make us a fit bride for our Lord. All the temptations to sin that we struggle with now will be banished from the bride's presence. As in a good adventure, we face mortal peril before the happily ever after part comes.

We face death daily. Some days it may not seem like it, but you even now are in mortal peril. Some from the persecution in the world, others from the dumb things like falling down a set of stairs or a drunken driver. We may die in this life from disease or a medical condition at any time. We may work until the years pile up and the old body just can't go on any longer. Yes, this adventure is one of mortal peril and danger though things may seem peaceful outside right at this moment. We also face frustration in getting to our good works.

A friend is asking about this faith we have, and we give a good answer, but, for no apparent reason the friend is transferred to a new job in a far country. We lose contact with our friend. How will that story end? We enjoy the teaching of a pastor, and over the years he becomes a valuable source of sound doctrine in our Christian growth. But, just as suddenly, the pastor is called to a church on the other side of the country. Who is this new guy? Another personal loved one has been torn away from us. How will we ever get to Heaven?

We often think that completing the entire mission from seed planting to harvest to storing it in the barn and consuming the produce is what we must do to have a 'work' credited to our heavenly account. That kind of work does not leave room for our teammates though. Then, we listen to the temptation that because 'I' have not actually saved anyone by being present at some 'conversion', we are not saved ourselves. When it comes to salvation, believing in Christ Jesus our Lord is the only thing. Is there more after that? You bet, and not all of it is great fun and celebration. If you think about it, getting bent over backwards and dunked under water is not such a fun thing, but what a great public statement of commitment and surrender to Christ!

Bucky