An Abundance of Knowledge for the New Year

As we enter into the New Year, I reflect on the notion that much has changed in the past twelve months.  From politics to the economy, nothing ever seems to stay the same.  That being said, however, I believe that there is one thing we can always count on.  It is the fact that God never changes.  In fact, I think we have an overabundance of knowledge at our fingertips when it comes to studying the timeless truths of Holy Scripture.  We can pull up an article about the various ways that archeology has vindicated Biblical accounts from history, for example.  Five minutes spent in an easy chair with the NIV study Bible, and anyone can sound like an armchair theologian.  It is almost too easy; we are spoiled.

By grace of God, this wealth of knowledge also extends to the question of how someone can be rescued by Christ, no matter what their circumstances are.  Or as some like to phrase it: becoming born again.  It is an important topic, and I dare say it may be one of the most important topics.  Even the non-believer can see that something changes within a person when they accept Jesus.  They are not the same as they were before.  It is the pivotal point where a person decides that it is okay to want more than this world has to offer, and to understand at the same time, that we are imperfect beings in need of grace. 

My favorite piece of Scripture is Romans 10:9.  It is simple, straightforward, and heartfelt.  To argue about its meaning is silly, and to ignore its implication is equally foolish.  It says this, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  This is our rescue opportunity friends!  There are no peripheral statements that go along with this edict.  It is too simple to misinterpret, and too important to ignore.  Rom 10:9 provides us with an embarrassment of riches, at least as it pertains to eternal salvation. 

What do we do then with this information?  Especially since it is so easily accessible?   I suppose it is possible to ignore it for some people.  We could - if we really wanted to - go through life pushing Romans 10:9 away.  Maybe when we die the lights go out, and that's it.  Maybe all of this excitement about God and Heaven ultimately comes to nothing.  Some people do hold to this philosophy, by the way.  Yet the question of our own significance in this universe is always there, waiting on the sidelines.  It never really goes away.  “Why are we here in the first place.”  You cannot reason your way out of this question or talk yourself free from it.  Truth be told, I really don't think you can push the big questions of life away for any prolonged length of time. 

We may never fully understand the atonement (Jesus going to the cross for our sins).  God’s grace is often like that.  Much of it remains a mystery – something profound for our little minds to wrestle with.  So I humbly suggest that we embrace this abundance of Scriptural availability.  I believe God is ready to take in anyone who is willing to commit Romans 10:9 to their heart.  If this wasn't so, He would not have inspired the Apostle Paul to write it.  The simplicity of salvation is God's gift to us.  It is His way to connect more deeply with you and I.  To accept Christ into our lives, to profess Him to others, and be baptized in His name.  So accept God’s gift of saving grace now, while you are thinking about what 2026 might have in store for you.  It will be the best decision you make all year.

 

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