Saving Us...God's Idea!

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)

Have you ever had a really good idea, beloved, one that you felt so good about that you wanted to share it with anyone and everyone? There's really no feeling in the world quite like hearing someone say of something we've suggested, "Now that is a really good idea!"

Here in what is certainly one of the most glorious statements ever written by the Apostle Paul, we find him declaring to his readers that God was the originator of a wonderful idea. Pay close attention to the descriptive phrase "He who began a good work in you." Were you aware, beloved, that it was totally and completely God's idea to save you? It's true! The Apostle John reminds us in no uncertain terms about just "who loved whom first" and "who started what with whom":

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins"
(1 John 4:10)

God had a wonderful idea, beloved! He chose to love us, we who are inherently "unlovable" because of the stain of our sins. And He chose to love us so much that He was even willing to buy us back from the slave-market of sin and set us free from its bondage forever. So in the person of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice of Himself on the cross of Calvary, God made it possible for all of us to be saved by His grace. What a wonderful idea!

Have you yet responded to what God has done for you in Christ, beloved? Have you yet realized how much He loves you and wants to set you free from the guilt and shame and penalty of your sins? You see, God had a wonderful idea! And because He did, you and I can become a part of His family forever. Why not bow your head right now and just say to Him, "Dear God, what a wonderful thing you have done by choosing to save me from my sins. I freely accept your gift of eternal life by receiving Jesus Christ into my heart as my personal Savior."

And, by the way, beloved, once your personal relationship with God has been established by your turning to Christ as Savior and Lord, why not continue to trust Him, you know, in all the everyday matters of life? It just so happens that whatever God says and does is "a good idea"! His plan and purpose for us have been written down in His Word and we each need to yield ourselves fully to its authority over our lives. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to direct word and thought and deed moment by moment so that we bring our lives into line with the standard of God for us. You will never be sorry that you did!

Ron