Jesus and His Salvation. So simple and so powerful. Yet too often we humans feel this uncontrollable urge to complicate matters. As an example of this truth, Mr Lucado talks about a food company that came up with the “…perfect cake mix. It required no additives. No eggs, no sugar. Just mix some water with the powder, pop the pan in the oven, and presto! Prepare yourself for a treat.” (p99) Yet no one bought the item, exactly because we humans feel like we just have to add our own little something, or else it’s just not right. The company “…reissued the cake with a slight alteration. The instructions now called for the cook to add one egg. Sales skyrocketed.” (p99) Sadly, this flaw in our MMI fallen nature extends to Salvation too!
Mr Lucado talks again about the great St Paul and how he was puzzled as to why others felt the need to insist that we can only be saved by Jesus plus circumcision. Then the author notes how we, in this Western civilization, may quickly agree, but we too try to add to God’s already perfect and simple recipe for Salvation. We try to add Jesus + evangelism…or Jesus + contribution…or Jesus + mysticism…or Jesus + heritage…or Jesus + doctrine…or Jesus + fill in the blank! “Legalism. The theology of ‘Jesus +.’ Legalists don’t dismiss Christ. They trust in Christ a lot. But they don’t trust in Christ alone.” (p100) We falsely think, “There must be something ‘I’ need to add to the act of Salvation, there just must be!” Ahhh, but isn’t this the core of all our problems? Isn’t this self-absorbed, self-centered, selfish nature that leads us away from God, instead of closer to Him and His Salvation? Isn’t this you and I trying to insert ourselves into the bull’s eye of life again? MMI mentality demands we play a part, and a big part, in our own Salvation. “Self-salvation makes light of our problem.” (p101) My Friends, Salvation comes from, and through Christ alone. To think otherwise can be deadly.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
