Daily Devotional

-July 31, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-God’s Invitation For Man’s Salvation –

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

(John 1:12-13).

When you plan an event, you want everyone to come. You carefully prepare all the details from the food, drink, and schedule. You send out an RSVP to all those invited. Usually, you are limited by space and or money who you can invite. If some can’t come, you invite others.

God devised His plan of salvation even before He created the world and well before man sinned. In God’s plan, He planned to send His Son Jesus Christ to die for the sins of every person. He invites everyone to accept His offer of salvation, not just a few.

William R. Newell in His beautiful hymn, “At Calvary,” wrote, “O the love that drew salvation’s plan! O the grace that brought it down to man! O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.” Only God could devise such a great plan of salvation!

But sadly, so few take advantage of God’s offer of salvation, though it is free, and they would need to believe and receive the gift of eternal life. John 1:10-11 says, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Praise God for words of our text, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” God in righteousness and justice could have let us go our own way in sin and be lost forever but He loved us too much to do that.

It definitely saddens the heart of God when men and women reject Him and His offer of eternal life and forgiveness. On the other hand, there is great joy in heaven when one soul is saved. In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost or prodigal son. Luke 15:10 says, “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The new birth that Jesus told Nicodemus about in John chapter 3 shows that salvation is completely from God. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” To receive Christ one must repent of his sins, believe that Jesus died for him on the cross and rose again, and receive Him as his Lord and Savior.

When one is born again, it is “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” God will never force anyone to believe and receive His offer of salvation. Each person must make his or her own decision. What will you choose? It is a life or death choice: to be with Christ in heaven forever or to be lost in hell forever.

Have a blessed day rejoicing in Christ for a wonderful salvation. Stay safe and healthy.

In His grace,

Dean