Daily Reading
Daily Thought
Theologians call it eternal security, and the idea is, once saved, always saved–you cannot lose your salvation because God will never let you go. Growing up, that’s what I was taught, so I began college secure that I could do anything without jeopardizing my eternity. And so I did anything. One day, however, I came across 2Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” What was the test? I didn’t know; I only knew I failed it. I discovered there is a difference between being secure in my faith, which is God’s business, and being sure of my faith, which is mine; and I was no longer sure.
Fortunately, I found a test. It was in the first letter written by the apostle John, and it came in three parts. A question for my head, do I trust Jesus is the Son of God, my Savior? “This is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” (1John 5:11-12). A question for my feet, do I follow God’s ways? “By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,” (1John 2:3-4). And a question for my heart, do I love? “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1John 4:7-8).
I trust, I follow, I love, and I’m sure.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. ~1John 5:13
Daily Prayer
God, Your Son came to this world and endured the shame of the cross for my sake. May I endure its shame, as well. I would gladly boast of Your sacrifice, no matter the cost, because Your shame is the power of my salvation. You took my sin and bore its penalty by dying on the cross. The cross of a criminal. The cross I deserved.
This is Your glory, the glory of love so strong that You suffered the cross for me, a sinner. I will lift up Your Name, no matter the consequences, because it is Your Name, and Your Name alone, by which I am saved.
What a wonderful cross. What a wonderful Savior.
Amen