“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.” Romans 10:13
Dear Ones:
We are apt to think that the miracles, or miraculous interventions of God, are limited to the creation of the world, and the great occurrences upon this earth. But the miracle that is the most personal, and individual, is that very real intervention of God in the life, when He brings the soul to a saving knowledge of Himself. How does it all begin, and where should such a certainty bring us in our walk with Christ?
Of all things, we begin with death, that which is dead or life-less. In speaking of Life, we are not speaking of just our physical existence, but of that experience of the very eternal life of Christ. Biblically speaking, to LIVE spiritually is to know the love of God, and the power of the resurrection. But, how does one get to that point, especially since the Scriptures tell us that we are “dead in trespasses and sins,” (Eph. 2:1), “…having no hope, and without God in the world?” (2:12) If we are “dead” spiritually, then we have absolutely NO capacity or power to be anything other than what we are. Not only is there no LIFE, but the soul is “lost,” hopelessly without direction and a knowledge of the ways of God to know this life. How then does God deal with us to bring us to Himself?
It is very clear in Scripture that God is the great Initiator. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He sees us in our lost condition. He works to first “draw” us to Himself. How does He do this? Though we cannot say that God deals with us all in the same manner to awaken in us a desire for Him, or create in us a conviction that we must come to know Him, we can say that He “reveals” Himself to the heart, mind, and conscience of the individual. Paul wrote for example, that God chose, “…to reveal His Son in me.” (Gal. 1:16) What does this tell us of God’s dealings? It is God who takes the initiative to bring us to the awareness of Himself, the conviction of His presence, and His personal attention to the need of our hearts and souls. However, even as it is possible to quench the Spirit, limiting the work of God in the heart by unbelief, or even resisting His working, so it is possible, like the rich young ruler, to rise up and leave Jesus’ presence, sadly choosing not to follow on to know Him. What then is the solution to this matter? It is one of realizing the significance, and importance, of God’s dealings with us. Here is the Eternal God, who has stepped into time, to become not only the consolation of Israel, but the Savior of the World, who is at work in us to save and sanctify. It is at this point, when He has worked to bring us to the point of recognizing His presence, and perhaps His power, that He gives to us an eternal invitation, with a most extraordinary promise. The invitation is very simple: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) That which is remarkable about this invitation is not only that it has eternal ramifications, but that God will give the grace and power to the individual soul, to truly “…call upon Him,” and be saved.
J.H. Stockton wrote in a hymn: “Come, EVERY soul by sin oppressed, There’s mercy with the Lord; And He will surely give you rest, by trusting in His word.” Stockton is writing of this miracle whereby the individual soul, feeling very keenly his need of God, calls out to God for His intervention, His saving work. The great promise given is that which Stockton also writes in his hymn: “And He will SURELY give you rest, by trusting in His word.”
Dear Father, Open our eyes, minds, and hearts, to see and recognize your working. And give us grace to whole-heartedly respond to Your call, by calling upon Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad