Dear Friends of "Dial Daily Bread,"
When you think of God, how do you think He relates to you? Church members view Him as making salvation available to "all men," but in what way? Is He like a shopkeeper who has his goods available to "all men," his doors always open, like a gas station open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? All the customer has to do is go there and obtain what he wants; do you think of God in that way? He never turns any "customer" away who "comes"? Sounds like Good News, doesn't it? Yes, it is!
The Jews thought of themselves as His agents, His "shopkeeper." They had the "goods" of salvation; if the Gentiles wanted it, they could "come" and get it. But Jesus had an even better idea: He would not only "open shop" but He would go in search of customers! He would become a divine Salesman (Good Shepherd?), and through the Holy Spirit would "knock" on every man's "door." And if someone would open the door to Him, He would do more than "sell" His goods of salvation, He would "give" what He had "without money and without price" (Isa. 55:1). It's as though He would take "every man" (that means every person) by the hand and say, "Come, let's go to heaven! You're welcome! When My Father accepted Me, He accepted you; He has a place for you in heaven!" Short of actual coercion (for He will never force anyone against their will), He says, "Come, you simply mustbe saved!"
That's what Peter meant when he said, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). In other words, the religion of Jesus (rightly understood) is the only one in heaven or earth that goes beyond the Shopkeeper version and says, "God insists! You mustbe saved!"
The first version is good, orthodox, lukewarm righteousness by faith--your salvation depends on you taking the initiative. The second? Sounds like your salvation depends on God taking the initiative, and your heart is melted by His love, by appreciating what it cost Him to save you.
--Robert J. Wieland
From the "Dial Daily Bread" Archive: April 28, 1998.
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