I get them all the time—letters informing me that it’s a mistake to say that the Lord loves people so much that He makes it “hard” for them to be lost; and that it’s wrong to tell them that Jesus says His yoke makes it “easy” for people to be saved.
They invariably distort reality and leave out the giant IF that’s always there: it’s hard to be lost and it’s easy to be saved IF you understand and believe how good the Good News is. What it boils down to is this: God actually loves sinners and He wants them to be saved (John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3, 4). He doesn’t sit back and wish vainly; He gets busy and does something for each individual sinner besides merely giving a Book of instructions; He sends His Holy Spirit to work on them individually and personally 24/7 in a never-ending conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11). The last of those three is a conviction that Satan has been “judged,” that is, condemned and “cast out” as a hindrance to your being eternally saved. Christ is in the business of being the Savior of all who will permit Him and not reject Him. Understanding Him is what’s important.
The gospel is not a theological conundrum that only those in the ivory towers of a university can put together; neither is it merely the nursery song, “Jesus loves me/This I know ...” that leaves you seeking as a panacea for your boredom the empty pleasures of this world. The true story of Jesus and His justification by faith is so intensely interesting that if you’ve even begun to understand it, your heart is captured forever. (A lady in her 90’s told us in Bible class last Sabbath, she is so excited with life that she can hardly wait for the sun to come up each new morning so she can do something else for people.)
It sounds wild but it’s true: when you “taste and see” what the Lord’s “everlasting gospel” (Rev. 14:6, 7) is all about, the silly TV that you once reveled in for entertainment becomes a bore; you feel like retching. “O how I love Your law; it is my meditation all the day” (Psalm 119:97; the word “law” is not a fanatical legalism; it’s that perfect statement of eternal truth that “converts” your human soul; Psalm 19:7). Far from being a cold list of rules, “the law of the Lord” becomes your 24/7 obsession of joy “henceforth” (cf. 2 Cor. 5:14-21).
The ancient pagans had a saying, “‘What will you have?’ quoth the gods; pay for it, and take it!” You and I this morning stand on the threshold of life; what will you have? Eternal life? You don’t “pay” for it, it’s too expensive, you can’t; but you can believe and take it from Him who did pay an expensive price for it—His own eternal life.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
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Robert J. Wieland's inspirational "Dial Daily Bread" phone message is available via e-mail to anyone who wishes to receive a daily portion of uplifting Good News. "Dial Daily Bread" is FREE. Due to travel or other circumstances, there may be intervals when "Dial Daily Bread" will not be sent.
