Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. -I Corinthians 1:22-24
The cross reminds us of what Christ has done for us. Salvation has come in Jesus Christ. Through Him we are more than conquerors, for death and hell, sin and the grave, have been overcome. Paul the Apostle pointed out that a lot of people get hung up on this truth; they stumble right over it. People seem to have a hard time accepting the truth that the grace of God is freely given to any and all who will receive it. We are taught that nothing is free; you have to work for and earn everything you get – at least that is the work ethic that has been ingrained into people since time out of mind. We become distrustful when someone offers us something that is completely free and without cost to us. That seems to always go against conventional wisdom, and we inevitably end up questioning such an offer.
But the grace of God is indeed freely given through faith in Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ we gain a look at what the grace and love of God is all about. God is higher, greater, mightier, and more holy than we can comprehend, and yet He has taken the time to care for you and me. He cares for us, loves us, has reached out to us, and has sought to redeem. Why is this so difficult for people to accept? When we accept God's gift of salvation, we become empowered to face whatever life throws at us. And we know all too well that life is going to give us some hard knocks. My brother-in-law, who has done a great deal of wilderness camping, said recently that when he was way in the back woods camping, that when a severe storm would come, that sometimes all you could do was to hunker down and wait for the storm to pass. That’s pretty good isn’t it? That is a powerful life lesson. When it looks as if the storm is too severe to move forward, then you might just have to hunker down and wait for it to pass.
Allow me take this a step further; when we are hunkered down waiting for the storm to pass, we are also anchored in Jesus Christ, and He will see us through and keep us in His powerful and mighty hand. He will keep us firmly planted until that storm moves on by. In Christ we will see a better and brighter day.
Salvation is available to any and all who will receive it. Cease from doubting God and start believing. Stop questioning God and accept Him. The Lord stands ready to forgive, redeem, and save. Oh troubled soul, open your heart and receive Christ today.
