Good morning, friends.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
I heard someone share recently their conversion to being a follower of Jesus. Their story was not an unfamiliar one, for it included growing up in church with a parent who was on staff there. They made a decision to accept Christ and got baptized well before the age of ten. But with the teen years came a realization that much of their life was not reflective of what they were hearing others share about their relationship with Jesus. Certain sins still had a grip even as they professed and believed what the Bible said about Jesus. So they sought out counsel, and what they came to understand was that Jesus may have been many things in their life, but He was not Lord over it. And that convicted them to declare His Lordship and surrender, as much as they knew how, all that they were. This process, from not believing and not understanding to fully accepting and completely devoting, has been the journey for countless believers. But it has been debated, and will be until the end of time, where along this journey our subject actually became a follower of Jesus. We know scriptures that say believe and you will be saved, and ones that say you must do His will to enter His kingdom. Others, like the ones directly after today’s verse, say repent and be baptized. Jesus was inclined to tell the people, “Follow Me.” So, what do we make of all of this? And is it that important, or even possible, to know at what point along the journey one actually becomes a redeemed child of God?
Well, let’s first agree that the most important thing is to be a redeemed child of God, rescued from the penalty of our sins. Let’s also agree that Jesus is both Lord and Christ, regardless of how apparent that is revealed in the way we live. And then, I think the focus should rest on the relationship you have with Jesus. The convict on the cross didn’t have time to go though whatever stages others might go through, but his brief, real relationship with Jesus spoke of shame for his fallen condition and utter dependence on Jesus to rescue him. If that’s what you have with Jesus, then you know Him. And more importantly, He knows you, and you will gladly subject yourself to His Lordship.
As we seek Him today, give all of yourself to Jesus, and get all of what He offers to you.
Have a great next few days, and I will be with you again on Wednesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
