Dear Body of Christ,
Unique architecture fascinates me – especially when it looks like it should collapse even though it’s as solid as a rock. There’s a monastery in Spain where the king ordered the architect to install a column to make sure the arch wouldn’t fall. The architect complied. However, after the king died, he revealed the column was built in a way that it never actually supported the arch. The arch was built to support itself … it needed no assistance to stand on its own.
Just like that king, many people today still feel they can support their own salvation through their works. Knowing they have fallen under the weight of their own sin, they find it impossible to believe they don’t need to support their own salvation – surely some good works are needed!
God’s Word repeatedly reminds us Jesus Christ is the only bridge between us and God. And He needs no help to support His saving work. His one, single sacrifice on the Cross is all that’s necessary for the eternal effects of sin to be destroyed (Hebrews 9:26). “Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:28) Jesus needs no assistance to save us from our sins. His sacrifice on the Cross followed by His resurrection is all that’s needed to save us and all mankind from sin, Satan, and death.
We’re saved for a purpose though … not simply to wait around for Jesus’ return. He calls us to serve Him and His creation through the use of the many gifts He’s given to us. Supported by the Holy Spirit, we act in faith to bring the love of Jesus to those who’re sadly trying to support their own salvation, showing them the all-sufficient work of Jesus to save them too. Then “(Jesus) will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Jim