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Hoyte Nelson's Poems/ Reflections & Biblical Essays
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Essay Religion or Relationship We
often look at our own humanity and ask the question, how can we make it? The
answer is, we can’t. The truth is that no one ever has made it. “But how can
that be,” you might ask? Well, “that’s a good question.” There is a word
in the Bible called the “Gospel;” It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and it
means, “Good News.” So, I have good news for you, it not good news about
you, but good news for you! The
wonder of it all is that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about sinners. That
is why He came to this earth, and died on the cross in order that we might, by
His sacrifice, be saved from hell. That is the difference between religion and
relationship. Religion says, “I can make it;” whereas the Bible says, “For
God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3: 16)
Therefore, I don’t have to make it--- Christ has made it for me. It was
“in my place condemned He stood” as the old hymn says. “Sealed my pardon
with His blood; hallelujah, what a Savior.” It was for me that He died; paid
the price for my sin, and is now seated at the Father’s right hand making
intercession for me. The Apostle Paul recorded these words, “For
there is one God, and one mediator
between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to
be testified in due time” (1 Timothy 2: 5,6). The writer of Hebrews writes,
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7: 25). It is sometimes hard for us to
understand why it is that a free gift, based upon simple faith, is enough for
our eternal salvation: Allow me to ask this question: “What is it that we
humans beings want most from any relationship: Husband/wife; children/friend,
etc. Is it not called “Trust?” (This is called “faith” in the Bible).
God first of all says to us: “trust me;” then He says, “follow me.” You cannot reverse the order;
you cannot follow Him in good works for salvation until to “trust” Him to
forgive you your sins, and receive His gift of Love through the Holy Spirit. It
was Jesus who died on the cross in our stead. That’s what repentance is all
about; it’s about turning form my own self-sinful-self, and receiving by faith
(Trust) a free gift from God in Christ Jesus ass my personal Savior. He then
becomes our Master and Lord as we seek to follow Him. |