Jonah Ch2 v9: But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, “Salvation comes from the Lord.” ’

God’s intervention in Jonah’s life is full of hope for everyone from those who are seeking him to those people who have purposefully shut God out of their lives, as he will reveal himself to people throughout their lives giving them an opportunity to repent and follow him.

Through Jesus’ sacrifice he has brought us salvation which shows us our sinful nature and the hope he gives us.

Because of his love for us our salvation was prepared before Creation, and when Jesus came and died on the cross he came to save all people who are willing to accept him as their Lord and Saviour.

The work of salvation in its full sense is:-

1. about whole human beings, not merely souls.
2. about the present, not simply the future.
3. about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us.

As we are already “saved”  this stewardship cannot be something to be postponed for the ultimate future. It must begin here and now.

In Romans Ch6 the reader is told that for them Salvation is obtained by giving up their sinful nature. This chapter reinforces that the Gospel message is not only about ‘evangelising and believing’ but living in manner that is pleasing to Him. God’s grace and forgiveness does not mean that we can carry on with our sinful lives (verse 2). I know some people who believe ‘once saved always saved’, I personally believe that if you intentionally turn away from God or ‘backslide’ in your life and live a life in the way of the world and not in accordance with his word then there is a high probability that you could end up spending eternity separated from Him aka in hell.

We are told in James Ch4 v12 that we are not judge people and that only God the moral law giver is able to judge people, this can be very difficult especially when we are dealing with people who profess to be ‘Christian’ but do not live in a Christ like manner. We are to accept people as they are and when prompted by the Holy Spirit we should pray for them and ask for his guidance in how we are to engage with them (no one is perfect we all sin).

I find it very comforting that no matter what I’ve done in the past or will do in the future that God’s offer for forgiveness and salvation will always be there for me.

Thought for the week

How do our lives look to other people, are we good witnesses?