Our relationship with Christ through God's grace is the source of our salvation. I once heard this allegory (source unknown) that salvation is like a powerful and magnificent ship built by God’s own loving hands. But the ship is not useful to God if it stays in the harbor. Our Life in Christ is therefore a response to our salvation. It is to be lived to the glory of God, to the furthering of His Kingdom, and for the salvation of those who have not yet heard the Good News."
Salvation is Christ doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Christ comes offering to impute his perfect righteousness onto fallen, imperfect, unrighteous humanity. Our personal righteousness is never righteous enough to wash away our sins- only God can do that. Therefore, our only hope is a relationship of love, faith and fidelity with God made possible by the Crucified Christ. In Christ, both God's judgement and His deep desire to extend mercy are satisfied. A pretty good plan for our salvation, wouldn't you say! That is why it is called "Good News."
Having to earn salvation greatly distressed Martin Luther because he knew he was not worthy or capable of doing so on his own righteousness. Thomas Cranmer, the great English reformer, felt a great burden for the average medieval peasant who had a mortal dread of going to hell and felt no hope of salvation, because he knew his own fallen human nature all too well. But the Protestant Reformers wanted to share the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) This sparked a Reformation in the Western Church that has brought peace and blessed assurance to countless Christians who have been bearing fruit for the Kingdom ever sense.
Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness. We dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the Solid Rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. When He shall come with trumpet sound, oh then may we in Him be found. Dressed in His Righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. Christ Himself will assure that we are attired in the proper wedding clothes when we sit down to our Marriage Supper with (and in) the Lamb.
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in LORD. My soul shall be joyful in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Michael, thanks. I can hear you singing this right now.
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