Effective date of salvation
Matthew 17:1~8 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (3~4).
Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #94 I’d Rather Have Jesus (#102 in previous version)
Many incidents arise as we live our lives, but how must we begin in order to receive true answers? I must change myself in order to enjoy God’s answers, and I need a personal time of prayer in order to gain God’s strength. The more you have this time, you realize what true answers are, and you enjoy Christ deeply inside of that. If you have a time of prayer inside the Gospel, you will come to know that everything is inside Christ. Starting from this moment, you see the answers to your problems, and the true life of the evangelist in which worries and even conflicts becoming joys begin.
1. Salvation, which is God’s greatest present
The Bible states that God knew us before the creation of the world and saved us (Ephesians 1:4). Some people go to church following their family or even their friends. Regardless of these reasons, God has prepared us before creation. Salvation has absolutely nothing to do with my level, but is the grace of God given by His love (Ephesians 2:8). If this is the truth, I must change the level of my faith. It is incorrect to go to church because of the pastor or give up your walk of faith because of a certain incident. The blessing of salvation we have received is at the highest level. If we enjoy the blessing of salvation, we can transcend people or problems. As I am a child of God who has received eternal blessings, I must think and act accordingly.
2. Effective date of salvation
Until when is salvation effective? Even though Peter made a very human confession on the Mount of Transfiguration after confessing that Jesus is the Christ, the fact that he was saved had not changed and was still effective. Even though he went so far as to deny Jesus and run away, Jesus sought after Peter. The salvation of the believers is eternal, and no one can snatch it away (Romans 8:31~39). The fact that we have received salvation is a tremendous miracle. If we enjoy the blessing of salvation just a little bit, all things are restored.
3. The blessing of evangelism
After Peter made the confession, ‘Jesus is the Christ,’ he received the blessing of the rock, winning over the gates of Hades, and received the blessing of the keys of the kingdom of heaven. However, not too much time had passed when he denied, cursed and left Jesus. His salvation did not shake in the slightest, even in this big mistake. Peter lived his entire life as a witness who enjoyed the blessing of evangelism.
- Are you fearful in front of great mistakes or failures? The salvation you have received is eternal. Today, deeply meditate upon and enjoy the blessing of those who are saved.
Core Training Message / 2011.1.15