Hello, and welcome to Enbolden, living a bold Christian life. I'm Chris Shutter, an ordinary Christian living with and learning about an extraordinary God. In the book of Jude we read about the grumblers and the fault-finders, following their own evil desires and boasting about themselves. I find the best way not to be a grumbler and a fault-finder, which I struggle with, is instead to look for ways to be thankful and grateful.
That's why on the Enbolden Podcast we're doing 30 Days of Thankfulness. Please join me. Today's thankful verse comes from Romans 623. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
You know, it seems there's a lot of talk these days about end times. Since the world received the words of Christ about eternal salvation and His return, people of all centuries have determined this is it. And although I do agree with Christian teacher Joyce Meyer that, quote, we are closer to the return than we were yesterday, end quote, we can never know when that day will actually arrive. We can only prepare.
During the last year I've enjoyed digging deeper into what the gift of salvation really means for us and what it doesn't. It isn't something we can earn, but it is something we must take action on to receive. It isn't something we can lose, but it is something we are expected to behave like we have received. It was given in blood by Jesus, yet He gives us forgiveness and grace for having to shed it.
Isaiah 12 2 says, Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself is my strength and my defense. He has become my salvation.
When we recount the scene of Jesus' crucifixion, we can easily imagine the dirt and the grime and the blood. The sweat and the tears, the pain and the sadness. A perfect man, our God, clothed in flesh without blemish, torn apart by the sins of those past, present and future. And as God always likes to do, He suddenly flips the script.
At Jesus' last breath, the veil between earth and heaven is torn wide open. And we who actively seek out the Lord and place Him as King of our lives, we now have an intercessor to present our dirty souls cleansed. Not just our hands, but our hearts will be spit-shined for when we meet the King. Sparkling creations meeting the glorious Creator.
Thank you, Jesus. Have a grateful day. I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Enbolden Podcast. Be sure to follow along so you don't miss any episode.
And check out my blog at embolden.net.