Genesis 22:8: “And Abraham said, ‘God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.’” (NASB)
Just a thought: What an awesome prophetic statement of God’s salvation plan for mankind! Yet, more than ever we are seeing an ever increasing number of people fall into religion; which is nothing more than man reaching out to God to win His favor – to win their salvation, trying to win God’s favor and their salvation through self-imposed sufferings and/or the shedding of their own blood. The most tragic example of all is the Islamic terrorists (martyrs) killing themselves and shedding innocent blood in order to gain salvation for themselves and for their families. Eternal salvation is a very powerful motivator, but zeal that’s based on a lie is the definition of the word “tragic” to the utmost.
Why is it that mankind continually tells God, “I will provide for myself the sacrifice”? What a silly notion! Can the sacrifice of the imperfect make someone clean – make someone perfect? What a silly notion indeed! Can the imperfect tell the Perfect One, “No, You must do it this way,” or “Thank you for Your salvation, but it’s not good enough for me,” or “I will decide for myself the right way – the right penitence – the right atoning sacrifice”? Or how does this sound to you? “I will force reverence for God upon the world by the law and/or by the sword.” Is reverence truly reverence if it’s forced? Of course not! What profound arrogant statements!
From the beginning, God’s plan of salvation was to sacrifice the Perfect One for an atonement which could not be broken – which was not dependent on mankind’s abilities, but on His all-powerful ability. Ezekiel 36:25-27: “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” (NASB)
Now that’s salvation! A salvation which begins from within – from a born-again heart, working its way outward unto holiness. A holiness neither contrived, nor forced, but created within by the Creator Himself. A love for God and His ways neither contrived, nor forced, but created within by the Creator Himself. And you want to say no to this profound salvation? If so, that would not only be profoundly arrogant, but also profoundly irrational and absurd! (Read Matthew 23:23-28 and Galatians 3:22-29.)
Prayer: Lord, my God, it’s never been by might nor by power, but from the very beginning it’s always been by Your Spirit. I humbly accept Your free gift for my salvation through the sacrifice of Your Perfect One – Your only son, Jesus. Amen and Amen!
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The Priceless Gift:
