The Joy Of Salvation

-June 22, 2022-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

“And he took him up by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered with the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.”

(Acts 3:7-8).

This lame man at the temple gate had been in that condition since birth; He had never walked before. His friends or family had to carry him daily to the temple so he could beg for alms. The definition of alms is, “money or food given to poor people.” Peter and John came to the temple at the ninth hour, about 3’ o’clock in the afternoon, which was the hour of prayer. Peter felt compassion on him at said, “Look at us.” He gave them his full attention hoping to receive some money from Peter and John. Peter instead of giving him money said in Acts 3:6, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and walk.”

Peter had something to share with this lame man that was better than money, material things, food, or any other earthly things. He had the message of the gospel, for the healing of the soul, and the healing of the body as well. This man received both. Peter lifted him up and he was immediately healed. It is not surprising that Luke, a physician and writer of Acts, described the details of his healing: “his feet and ankle bones received strength.” He was immediately saved spiritually and showed fruit unto salvation by going with Peter and John into the temple to pray.

There is no greater joy than the salvation of a soul. There joy for the sinner saved by grace through faith, the person leading him to Christ, and for all of heaven. Joy is that inner quality of a personal relationship with Jesus. It is not dependent upon outward circumstances. This lame man showed the joy of his salvation by walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God, and knowing he was the one who sat begging at the temple gate daily. All the people were filled with wonder and amazement. What great testimony he had to share!

Peter used the opportunity to give glory to the Lord who had healed him, and he preached the gospel of Christ to them. Peter and John were joyful to lead a precious soul to Christ. His physical lameness was gone and he was a new creation in Christ. If you have ever led a soul to Christ, you know how exciting it is. Not everyone we share our faith with gets saved, especially not right away. Sometimes we sow the seed, other times we water it, and there are other times when we reap the results and see someone saved.

Not only was there joy for the healed and saved man, and for Peter and John, but also there was joy in heaven. Jesus said in Luke 15:7, 10, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance. Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The lesson for us is rejoice in our salvation every day. To be saved, forgiven, have eternal life, and to have a home in heaven is beyond words. We are so blessed and thankful. The song writer expressed it so well, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart; I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.” The joy in our hearts isn’t just a passing fancy, it lasts and stays in our hearts forever. Let us drink freely from the wells of salvation.

Have a blessed and joyful day in and with Jesus, the source of our joy. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal, exuberant, and emphatic joy,

Dean