The Gift of Salvation — Week 1
By Peggy Land, wife of Dr. Steven J. Land, President of the Church of God Theological Seminary

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17, NASB).

Our salvation cost God His only Son.  This “one and only Son” willingly left the throne of God to be born of a virgin and to suffer every temptation known to man, yet He did not sin.  Christ freely gave His life on the cruel cross for our redemption.  The beckoning call is given for all humanity to repent from sin, to believe on Jesus Christ and to be saved.

While meditating on this great gift of salvation and thanking the Lord, think about your own salvation experience.  According to the scripture, all heaven rejoices when one comes to Christ.  We, as the body of Christ, also rejoice to hear testimonies of His saving grace.  They increase our faith as well as our witness.

As a child, kneeling at an altar of prayer in the local Church of God, I asked Jesus to forgive me and to live in my heart.  Family and friends gathered around praising and worshipping.  Young and old alike were giving thanks for the salvation of a child.  All glory be given to the Lord for that day and that body of believers.

My father shared a testimony about an older friend of his who found Christ.  As this man was working outside, his body bent uncontrollably down toward the earth, and he was unable to stand upright.  In an effort to change this awkward position, he lifted his eyes toward the heavens.  Astonished and frightened, he said, “I saw my casket in the sky.”

After sharing this experience with my dad, he asked that they pray for him to be saved.  The Lord gloriously saved him and gave him a song, “Love Lifted Me.”  About a year later, he went to heaven. 

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more
but the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Love lifted me!  Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help
love lifted me!

Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves
He will lift you by His love, out of the angry waves
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
— James Rowe and Howard E. Smith

Having sinned and fallen short of His glory, we repent and He forgives.  Think about the promise!  Life eternal.  All praise and honor be given to the one and only Savior of mankind.  Be thankful for His saving grace.  Rejoice and be lifted into His presence.  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12, NASB).

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