So Close and So Far Away

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:5-11 ESV).

Several years ago a man and his wife were found frozen to death in their car. A blizzard had dumped tons of snow in the area, burying their vehicle. Before she died, the woman scribbled a note on a piece of paper and stuffed it in the glove compartment. The note read: "I don't want to die this way." Tragically, less than six feet from their icy grave was a stranded bus, whose festive passengers remained warm throughout the night. Salvation is so close and yet so far away to everyone. Jesus Christ has done all that is necessary to reconcile us to God, and yet, like this couple, we find ourselves blinded by the things around us.

There are three “parts” to the act of being saved. It involves the total of our humanity: our emotions, our intellect, and our will. Those of us who are married can easily relate to this truth. When I first met Mary, I emotionally made a decision to marry her. In fact, within the first few hours of being with her, I had made that decision! For many people, their experience with Christ is like that. However, there is more than a mere emotional attraction necessary to experience salvation. I also used my intellect in making the decision to be married. We spent many hours talking and dreaming of the future together. I was then able to think through the decision and consciously take the last step toward marriage. That last step was the act of my will. I made a commitment to her. So it is with our conversion. We do fall in love with Christ and all that He promises to do and provide in our lives. However, it is not mere emotion that completes commitment. We must also think through the act and complete it with a commitment of all that we are to Him. It is no wonder that Jesus cautioned people so strictly when they asked Him what it would take to be His disciple.

There are many people who have felt the emotion of Christianity and never realized the fullness of the work of grace in their life. The redemptive work of Jesus is much more than our feeling good! It is the transformation of our entire being through the Holy Spirit. Feeling good is close, but so far away! How close are you to salvation today? Everything has been done to accomplish your salvation. Will you accept His gift today?