Lesson Fourteen: No Other Name

Describe what salvation means to you.  


I'm sitting here in my room in Lakewood, IL, all cozy beneath my covers, taking a rest from the already busy Christmas Eve morning with my family.  I arrived yesterday for a five day respite, to soak in the Christmas season with my beloved family.  Taking some time alone to rest and reflect, I opened a small book I have read a few times before this Christmas, Immanuel: Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler.  Each chapter features a different name of God, used by his children at Christmastime and through the Advent season, in Scripture, a prayer focusing on this attribute of the LORD, and some questions for reflection.  I have been especially affected by Spangler's reflective challenge today: Describe what salvation means to you.


The Word is clear that we are to give reason for the hope we have in us, at any given moment.  So, what DOES salvation mean to me?  What does God's Word say about it?

Acts 4:12

 ¹² There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

  
1 Chronicles 16:35
Cry out, “Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you.”


Psalm 27:1
[ A psalm of David. ] The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?


Psalm 40:16
But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”


Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.


Psalm 79:9
Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.


Luke 19:9
Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.


Romans 13:11
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.



Ephesians 2:9
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.


Philippians 1:11
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.


Hebrews 9:28
so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.


1 Peter 1:9
The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.  This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.


Revelation 12:10
Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,“It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night.


What does salvation mean to me?


Salvation is a free gift that I do not, nor will I ever, deserve.  It is given to me solely through Jesus Christ, who, despite deserving Heaven, descended to earth, allowing himself to die a humble, belittling death, all so that I (and anyone who believes) could be in relationship with God forever.  Before Jesus, salvation was only attained through right living by the Law (the Commandments, doing good) and offering sacrifices.  Jesus became the perfect, holy Sacrifice--I no longer live by the Law (restraining), but by Christ (freeing), who lives in me.  Salvation produces good fruit, joy, and obedience, because it ushers us into all that God intended for us to be.  Salvation solidifies our identity as God's precious inheritors, restoring us from our choices of self-indulgence.  Salvation is God's unfailing Love put into perfect action.  It is rescue.  It is freedom from fear.  It is gladness in a fallen world.  Salvation is Jesus Christ's mission, and God's heart.   


What does salvation mean to you?


Merry Christmas!  May the Peace that transcends all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our LORD.  Amen.

Lesson Thirteen: Listen Up

Sounds easy, right?

The most effective means to getting to know a new person is to listen to their story, their heart.  I must ask myself, Have I listened to God's story lately?  Yes, I read the Word often, and I pray.  But what about actually stopping to listen and understand?

Living in this amazing city has taught me that listening takes DILIGENCE.  Jesus tells us that listening and understanding are different than hearing.


Mark 4

 ¹⁰ When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. ¹¹ He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables ¹² so that,

   “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving,
   and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’^[a]”

I hear the announcement for my subway stop, the honking of horns (there is a $350 fine for honking in NYC...), and the many voices in my head reminding me of my to-do list tasks.  Those sounds are not hard to miss.  But the still, small voice of God in the midst of distraction requires more of me.  And His is the most important sound of them all.  So why can I not slow down?

I desire to know what it looks like to come before the God of the universe with an open heart and mind.  Not to come with expectations, or doubt, or a list of rambling wants...just ME.  This is quite a simple thought at its essence, but Lord O Lord, would you instill in me Your restful spirit?  Would you help me to understand You, to know Your heart, and to seek Your will above my own?

How do you seek the Lord's presence?  Under what circumstances do you most clearly hear and understand His voice?  I am thrilled to experience the Lord's work, His voice, and His daily challenges. Thanks, all, for reading and supporting the blog!