January 5
Jesus has paid it all, done it all, to secure the salvation of mankind. There is nothing remaining for any supplicant before the Throne of Mercy and Grace to present in order to obtain His free gift. There is no amount of treasure a man must lay at the Lord’s feet in order to be the recipient of Heaven’s greatest treasure—salvation.
However, many live their lives as though there were a debt outstanding, as though the gift could not be simply received but must be earned. Some seal themselves away in monasteries where they take vows of silence, where they promise before God that they shall not utter a syllable to another human being as long as they live.
Some take vows of poverty, promising the Lord that they shall relinquish to His Kingdom’s work anything of value that they might possess if He will but save them from the wretchedness of sin that they recognize within themselves. Some have become God’s warriors, vowing to subject the whole world to Him or dispense His wrath upon them if they refuse to embrace their view of who He is and what He wants from man. And all this is futile.
None of the above, none of the countless schemes each man may contrive within his own heart to obtain the favor of the Holy One is efficacious toward the end he desires. The way to gain salvation is that set forth in John 15:10, 11 by Jesus Himself who said, “If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love as I obey My Father’s commands and remain in His love. Do this and My joy in you will be full and your joy will be complete.” Obedience will always be the undeniable evidence of a man’s devotion--and his source of joy.
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