Ten Great Truths That Make God's Last Days Message Unique
NUMBR TWO: "By His uplifted cross and on-going priestly ministry, Christ is drawing "all men" to Himself to repentance. His gracious love is so strong and persistent that the sinner must resist it in order to be lost."
Why is this true?
Because He has given Himself for "every man," yes, He has given Himself TO every man.
When He died on His cross, He did more than save good people; He died for "the ungodly." "When we were yet without strength, in due time Chris died for the ungodly" (Rom. 5:6). It may be hard to say it, but that includes the worst sinners on earth!
The idea that Christ is running the special "shop" of salvation here, and He stays inside like a shopkeeper until the sinner takes the initiative to come seek Him out, is not what the Bible says! We must mention two reasons for this:
(1) Christ is the Good Shepherd who does not wait for the lost sheep to try to find its way home again; He always goes in search of it: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). The lost sheep may be lost out on the hills on a wild, stormy night; no matter. The Good Shepherd leaves His "ninety and nine" and at the risk of His own life goes out in the wildest storm imaginable through the mountains "until He find it": He goes "after that which is lost, until He find it" (Luke 15:4).
(2) "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).
Don't imagine that you can save yourself, or that you have grown up on the right side of the railroad tracks so you are naturally almost saved on your own; if the Lord were to leave us to ourselves, we would be hopelessly lost.
"The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Think of a shepherd of sheep; he has had a hard day, he is tired and hungry; his wife has cooked his favorite roast for supper; but as he counts his sheep, he finds that one is not there; it's out somewhere in the mountains.
A wild storm is brewing; she says, "Come and rest and eat your supper, you have 99 sheep, are they not enough for you?"
But he can't rest and eat; one sheep is lost.
So out in the wild storm he goes, maybe looking all night, cold and hungry; he must find that one sheep!
And who is it? You personally, and me personally.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
