Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
Suppose you were hungry, homeless, sleeping under a bridge or in a cardboard box; could you celebrate Thanksgiving? Most of us tell how we say thanks for nice homes, cars, food, good jobs, friends, fun. Can those who have none of this have Thanksgiving? Don't say yes if only the Red Cross, ADRA, or Salvation Army gives them a turkey dinner. That lasts only one day, then back under the bridge again.
There's a Bible Thanksgiving that gets lost in the normal celebrations: thanksgiving that you don't have to die the second death; thanksgiving that you have actually been given eternal life "in Christ." That refuge under a bridge may be very uncomfortable, but it's your privilege to rejoice that "in Christ" you have already been redeemed from hell itself. The Son of God also was homeless, had nowhere to lay His head, He says; but He was resurrected to eternal life, and "in Him" you too inherit the same. Welcome to sharing your living space with Him!
It's astounding, but its Bible truth: you have already been "elected" to eternal life "in Christ." Not that you deserve the gift for which you celebrate such transcendent Thanksgiving; Paul says, "by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any one should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9; when it says "not of works" it means not of your own volition). Face reality: if Christ had not died for you, you would most certainly have been eternally lost. But He did die for you, and rose again; the "you" in Ephesians 1 and 2 is the "you" of the entire human race. All have been redeemed. Your seat at the heavenly banquet has your place card on it with your name.
Now, don't blow everything by choosing to disbelieve this gospel truth. Yes, you can be lost, and many will be; but not because they weren't elected or got overlooked. John 3:16-19 says the problem was only unbelief. Believing the Good News will give you a Thanksgiving Day 365 times a year; and I believe such faith will enable you to find a way out from under that bridge.
Copyright © 2009 by Robert J. Wieland.
Be sure to check your e-mail for "Dial Daily Bread" again tomorrow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Daily Bread - Readings about life and the Word of God.
