Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What is salvation? Salvation is a gift from God. Romans 10 reminds us that is the plan of God to save the people (Jews and non-Jewish) of this world. It is a personal choice to believe in this plan. Because of this, plan I have hope. The scripture reminds me, “God saved you (me) by his grace when you believed. And you (I) can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT). I am so glad of the reminder that “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (verse 13). Moreover, God’s plan of salvation shows how merciful He is toward us. Every day we receive NEW MERCY. Therefore, God’s plan for us is to show similar mercy toward others.
Blessed Are the Merciful
Jesus taught in Matthew 5 the teaching of what servants’ attitudes should be like. I have wounds and scars that you cannot see. We all do. But Jesus was wounded for our transgressions. Yes, i.e., stupidity, sins, lack of knowledge that robs others and stands in the way of their salvation.
I have been the transgressor who caused wounds in others. How? When I refused to show mercy, I caused wounds out of stupidity; yet, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7 NKJV).
Wounds need healing; they do not need poison. The scriptures tell of a “balm (b-a-l-m) in Gilead.” This means a healing, soothing, restoring medicine that comes through Jesus Christ. Internal wounds are the most difficult to see and appreciate. For the human, internal wounds are especially difficult to understand for they manifest outwardly through unusual human behaviors. Wounded people hurt others because they are deeply scared, fractured, broken.
You cannot treat these types of wounds with deadly poison with words and deeds. It becomes devastating and short-sighted. It is even more devastating when we as the body of Christ do it and call it the Lord’s work.
Empathy Towards Another
In revisiting the book of Jonah, I am pressed to think about empathy. You know the story of Jonah, the preacher. He was swallowed up by a great fish. Jonah stayed in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights. This was because of his disobedience to God. While in the belly of the fish, Jonah said he went down to the roots of the mountains. He sank down, but the Lord brought him up from the pit (paraphrasing Jonah 2:6). It was in a pit situation that Jonah prayed to the Lord; the Lord heard his repentance. Jonah vowed to preach, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord.’ God showed Jonah compassion. Then God caused the great fish to vomit him up to dry land (verse 10).
It is my hope that I am a compassionate one. As a young child, I remember the preached messages of destruction. They involved finger-pointing and filthy rags. These messages provoked me to fear God. Those fire and brimstone messages demoralized me as an unjust creature and deserved to go to hell. Hell was the place for the adulterer, the immoral, and the liar. It was for the thief, the unsaved, the smoker, and the drunker. Even the dancer was included. The list went on. What chance did I have?
God Perfects
Thank God for the message of “Salvation is from God.” He loves me just as I am. He is the Rock of Ages. It is the compassionate Christ that drew me to Him. His Holy Spirit will direct my path. Although I am imperfect, He is perfect, and He will perfect those things concerning me. I am not a mistake.
That is the message that this servant leader wants to share. Salvation is from God. God is love. He loves you and is faithful. God can bind up your wounds. He is our hope. Like the people of Nineveh, pray, repent, and see what God will do. He is the compassionate God who shows mercy. Because He showed me mercy, this servant leader must reciprocate.
It does not mean we will not talk about hell. But it will not be in turns of hopelessness but hope. Hell is real. But this servant knows of the Lord who the scripture declares that:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your (His) faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSV).
Fore more like this one: