The
Ark of Salvation
"But
I will establish my covenant with you, and you will
enter the ark..." Genesis 6:18
When
God spoke these words to Noah, He was declaring
the special relationship He had with him. He was
promising to save him from the coming flood by having
him enter an ark that would float above the rising
waters of judgement. Why? because "Noah
found grace in the eyes of the Lord" Genesis
6:8
In the same
way, believers in Jesus Christ are in a special
relationship with God. They, like Noah, have entered
the ark of God's covenant and are delivered from
all judgement and wrath. "There
is t
herefore
now no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus." Romans 8:1
Many
believers however, do not fully walk in the light
of this truth. They often feel as if they have to
somehow measure up to earn God's favor. Yet the
Bible states "He (Jesus)
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised
for our iniquities: The chastisement
of our peace was upon Him;
and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
As
believers in Jesus Christ, we have entered the ark
of His salvation. It was built by the wooden cross
of mount calvary 2000 years ago. Through His sacrifice,
Jesus has promised to deliver us from all judgement
and condemnation. As it says in Romans "...Much
more then, being now justified by His blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if,
when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God
by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by His life." Rom 5:9-10.
Jesus said "Verily, verily,
I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but
is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.
There
is no longer any punishment because Jesus has
born the punishment for us. In Christ Jesus
we are free from the condemnation and punishment
of our sin to walk with God in a new relationship
and life in the Spirit. We are able to serve Him
without fear and to truly love and obey Him, because
"He first loved us."
1John 4:19
Let us therefore,
as believers in Christ's atoning sacrifice on the
cross, receive His gift of grace not only in our
spirits, but in our minds and emotions as well.
He was judged in our place so that we may be free
from guilt and fear and condemnation. Don't be afraid
to draw near to the One who has saved you and purchased
you with His blood. The
Bible states that there is no greater love:
"Greater
love has no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends."
John
15:13
If
you do not know Jesus, there is an invitation for
you. God calls anyone and everyone to come into
the ark of Jesus' saving grace. Won't you call on
His name and receive His salvation for you? The
Bible says "For whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13. It is as simple as realizing
that you are a sinner, and that you can't make it
to heaven on your own. Just ask Him to forgive you
and to come into your heart as your Saviour. In
doing this, God will establish His covenant with
you and you will enter the ark, forgiven, saved
and bound for heaven, high above the waters of judgement
- not because of your own goodness, but because
Jesus was punished in your place. It's a free ticket
to board the ark and all you need to do is receive
it. Having done so, you will realize that you too,
like Noah of old, have found "grace in the
eyes of the Lord."
Until
next time,
In
Christ Jesus,
Richard
