Matt.1:21 – She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
Yesterday’s devotion began to take a look at the name of Jesus and its association with saving His people from their sins. That’s the common denominator in life that many people don’t quite get; we started this life as sinners and our decisions influenced by the fallen nature have devastating consequences. Jesus came to save us from sin, He doesn’t stop at forgiveness but goes to the root of our sin, our fallen nature and changes us. Afterwards, He brings restoration from all of the mess we have made. Here are some examples from His ministry that describe His amazing work of salvation.
CHANGE OF NATURE – SINNERS MADE NEW PEOPLE
LK.19:10 – For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Zachaeus was changed from a despised swindler into a gracious man of God. The Lord will change greedy people who used others to advance their personal wealth into people who love to use their giftings to advance His kingdom.
BURNING AND SHINING
Jn.5:33-35 – You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was the lamp that was burning and was shining and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
Salvation converts us into burning and shining lights. Our hearts are filled with a passion and love for Christ and for people. Our minds have a revelation of Christ and His kingdom in this world. We love different things than before salvation and we have a new understanding of life.
SALVATION BRINGS US INTO ABUNDANT LIFE IN CHRIST
Jn.10:9,10 – I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
I have heard this scripture used so many times about God advancing us financially in this life. That is a very narrow view of what “life” is. Jesus came to give us life as He enjoys it with the Father. This is a very different kind of life than just acquiring personal wealth. Yes, the Lord will bless us with earthly blessing but abundant life goes way beyond that.