Scripture
Our verse for today comes from John 17:6, “I have manifested Your name to the men You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.”
Background
Being back at work yesterday, I had the most marvelous response to the standard question from coworkers of how was weekend. For the last of my children, my little ten-year-old daughter, had accepted Jesus as her Savior. Of course, I’m not exactly sure when the saving part actually happened. That belongs to God alone and the working of His Holy Spirit. But several weeks ago, my youngest came to me and said she wanted to talk about it. And then, this weekend, she could wait no more, and so we talked through what it meant to follow Jesus and give your life to Him. And when our Sunday worship service was concluding, on the day we celebrated the resurrection of our Savior, she came forward and made public her decision to follow that risen Lord. Being able to share that when someone asks, “How was your weekend?” makes for the best of Mondays.
Jesus died and rose again for the sole purpose of redeeming sinful people like me and my daughter, and so the crucifixion and resurrection was in a sense redeemed as it produced its intended fruit yet again. God, who chose my daughter from out of the world before time began, placed another worshipper at the feet of His Son.
Application
But as I told my girl, the journey is not over. A Christian doesn’t reach his apex when he follows Jesus in obedience through baptism. That public celebration is really just a jumping off point to keep His word more and more, better and better, from that day forward. Life is essentially just beginning, and each step from then on has eternal significance. I have prayed for one thing for the better part of nineteen years, for each of my children to claim the name of Jesus. And God in His mercy has answered those prayers with a yes. We all have a new sister in Christ. May that in some way draw you closer to the One who drew us all to Him, despite our sin and shame. Praise God Almighty.
Charge
As we seek Him today, let your salvation from days gone by find renewal in the faith of a child, and commit to walk in newness of life and joy.
Rich Holt / Originally Published on : BCWorldview.org
Also published on : Medium.com.
