A Meeting With Jesus
Can’t Be Mistaken
For Anything Else
Jesus was certain about salvation. There was nothing evasive or ambiguous in what he said or what He taught.
He was clear. He was definite. He didn’t leave us guessing.
His purpose statement is anything but vague:
The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
And John, speaking of salvation said:
As many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12)
There’s no uncertainty here and it’s simple. Believe and receive. It’s a guarantee.
There’s also no application process, no waiting period or probationary phase.
Not only did Jesus take a definite tone, the people Jesus saved knew they were saved.
They were certain of salvation, and expressed their belief in different ways to different people.
- Andrew told Peter about Jesus.
- Philip told Nathanael.
- Matthew invited Jesus and His disciples to dine with his friends (all sinners).
Everything changed for each one and they weren’t quiet about it.
Jesus didn’t encourage this. He didn’t have to.
Not every person is equally vociferous about salvation. The noise level for each one will differ depending on how much they were forgiven. As Jesus implied in Luke 7:47, those who are forgiven much will not only love much – meaning show their love more – but will also say more, do more and give more.
We don’t all express our certainty equally but we’re all equally certain.
The fact is, Jesus doesn’t save at a distance, and the people He saves are never left in doubt.
Jesus made an interesting statement about personal reactions to salvation.
Whoever confesses me before men, that person shall I confess before the angels of God. Luke 12:8
The confession mentioned here is the evidence of salvation, not the means of salvation or an expression of courage or even a test of salvation.
Confession happens naturally. You don’t teach people to confess. You don’t demand it or require it. Genuine salvation is impossible to hold inside. You could say it’s convulsive.
You can fake it. You can’t resist it.
Turning confession into a requirement is like telling monkeys they must scratch or dogs they must bark or people they must breath.
Confession isn’t necessarily audible either. Some people are quiet by nature, but the ones who don’t say something will do something that constitutes confession. In this case actions speak equally as loud if not louder than words.
But here’s the point. The moment of salvation is so personal and so radical it is impossible to keep secret.
Jesus expresses no uncertainty about His willingness to save and the moment of salvation brings clarity. Salvation can’t be seen by others but it can’t be denied either.
People may doubt salvation after the fact but they never doubt in the moment. They may mistakenly think salvation can or has been lost afterward, but the actual meeting with Jesus is never in question.
THINK!AboutIt
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