This is where I take my daily walk, a time to myself, a time to use my body and glory in the way God made me. (It still amazes me when I treat my body right, how great I feel. And the same way…when I overeat the wrong things, how lousy I feel). Anyway, it’s a time when God may sometimes instill in me something He wants me to learn.
A few days ago, as I was walking, I was thinking of a conversation I had with a friend of mine. Through talking about various spiritual things, it came up that she felt that someone who isn’t “working” for God may not be saved. She felt that going to church every Sunday morning, evening and on Wednesday nights makes you a faithful Christian. If you aren’t doing that….your salvation may be questioned. All of a sudden, as these thoughts swept through my mind, I had a flood of sorrow course through the core of my soul! How……how could we think this after what Christ did for us??? How can we think we are anything compared to His glory, holiness and mercy? There is nothing……nothing we can do to earn our salvation. We accept Christ’s salvation as a gift. We are as flithy rags with nothing to offer.
In our area, it’s called the Bible Belt, because there are churches everywhere. Most have grown up in the church. I find too, that this area is filled with many people who think they have to do something to be a good Christian. Remember the conversation that went on during this time that Jesus and the two criminals were hanging?
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” ~Luke 23:40-43
The thief didn’t have a life time of serving Jesus…in a split second, he knew that he would be going to be with Jesus, just by believing. When we do come to Jesus and accept this free gift, we want to serve Him in various ways…it is only natural when you love someone to please that person.
As I continued walking, tears flooded my eyes and my heart felt it might burst with this sorrow. I told my husband later, I was so surprised at my emotions. I thank God for giving me this glimpse …..
