What is our part in salvation?

I was having lunch with a friend last week, having the most wonderful conversation about all sorts of topics. At one point, the topic turned to salvation - specifically, what is our part in it? Rebecca had a terrific illustration to share and I want to pass it along to you.

First, think on the story of Lazarus. He and his sisters (Mary and Martha) were dear friends of Jesus. The story can be found in its entirety in John 11, verses 1-45. We shall just focus on the last part but to refresh your memory - here is a summary of what happened to this point:

Lazarus was sick. So sick, in fact, that the sisters sent word to Jesus to come. Scripture is clear to tell us that Jesus loved these siblings and yet, He didn’t come immediately. He stayed where He was. In the meantime, Lazarus died. No one told Him that but He knew because He told His disciples so. By the time He arrived in Lazarus’s village, His friend had been in the tomb for four days. No doubt he was dead. The sisters were understandably sad and, truth be told, maybe even disappointed in Jesus for not coming sooner. Each sister independently states that her brother wouldn’t have died if He had been there! Their pain moves Jesus deeply and Scripture tells us He wept. His love for them was obvious. Let’s let the Word tell us the rest: (John 11:38-45)

 Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”  Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”  So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.”  When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him,

Lazarus was dead. Dead people can’t do anything. He was helplessly, hopelessly dead.

Jesus calls to him in his deadness. He gives him life.

Lazarus has a choice. In the instant he is given life, technically he could have stayed in the stinking grave. He could have said, thanks but no thanks - I prefer to be dead. So, yes, I suppose he has a choice that is really no choice at all. He is raised from death to life and he responds to that call instantaneously.

That is a true story. And, dear friends, it is a beautiful picture of salvation. We were dead - DEAD - in our sins (Ephesians 2:1). Dead people can’t do anything! They can’t save themselves. They can’t make decisions. They can’t do good works. They can’t impress God. Just as Lazarus was dead in that grave, when we were without Christ, we were dead. DEAD.

Then, Jesus calls us. Not when we decided to come to Him but rather when He decides to come to us. Just like He did with Lazarus. He calls us and imparts life. Our only “role” is to walk out of the grave! Maybe technically we have a “choice” but is it any more of a choice than Lazarus had when he was brought back to life? We were dead. He called us and made us alive. Of course we walked out of that grave!

I hope you, too, have walked out of the grave. That you who once were dead have now been made alive, that you have been called from darkness into His marvelous light. But if you haven’t, then please don’t deceive yourself that you can “make this decision” when you’re ready. You can’t. He is the one doing the choosing. If you have heard His voice, don’t delay. The day you hear that call is the day of salvation.

What's the big deal about JOY?

We all want joy. Joy, happiness, whatever we call it - we all want those pleasant emotions and that feeling of glad satisfaction. We not only all want it - we all seek it. Most of what we do all day every day is an attempt on some level to reach this goal. To replace the feelings of sadness, disappointment, fear, rejection, insecurity, loneliness, with more desirable ones. Gladness. Security. Acceptance. Contentment. JOY.

Yes, we all want it.

The great news is that we don't have to feel guilty about wanting to be happy!

Because that's what God wants, too!

In fact, He commands us several times to be joyful! One such occurrence in Scripture is Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!

Why does He tell us that?

In no way do I suggest that I know all His reasons but I can find some answers in His Word. I have at least three of the reasons He commands us to be joyful. And I have some insight into how we can be joyful. But before I share those reasons, let me first be perfectly clear. YES God wants us to be happy. 

IN HIM

NOT by selfish, destructive, sinful ways.    

It's very important that we get that part straight.

Now for the reasons why we should be joyful:

1. JOY strengthens us                                                                                                            Seriously, being joyful is strengthening to us. That's what Nehemiah 8:10 (Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength) means. Sadness, discouragement, despair - these drain us of strength. But when we have joy in the Lord, we are energized, stable, strong.

2. JOY secures us                                                                                                                          That is what Philippians 3:1 teaches us - Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same thing again is no trouble to me and it is a safeguard for you.  A safeguard.  Being joyful in Christ protects me - keeps me safe! Safe from what? From trying to find joy in anything else! When I full of the joy of Jesus, I am not tempted to find it in something that cannot bring lasting joy. Something that will instead result in grief and disappointment. Or even destruction. Rejoicing in the Lord secures me.

3. JOY splashes on others                                                                                                               We must not underestimate this benefit of joy. Our joy - or lack of it! - has a definite impact on those around us. In Philippians 2:17,18, Paul conveys this truth: But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you, too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.      Joy is not meant to be hoarded but rather to be shared! Joy is one of, if not THE, greatest evangelicals tools we have. When others see our joy, they are going to want some, too!  And it is also one of the greatest sources of encouragement in the church. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need for us to be joyful. We all benefit. Not that we can't or shouldn't ever grieve. That is not true at all. But even in the midst of grief and difficulties, it is possible to still have JOY IN THE LORD.

Joy in the Lord. Gladness of Who He is and what He has done for us. What He is doing in us. And what He will do in the future. Satisfaction in Christ. Contentment with His plans and purposes for our lives. Rejoicing. In Him. Always.