Image from http://addpastor.blogspot.com
Easter gives us permission to say that and more!
1 Peter 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 7 so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
I often say that we as United Methodists seldom use the word salvation because we are afraid of reprisals from the Baptists. Whatever the reason though, we do not share the concept of salvation as much as we should. The above graphic shows a Methodist camp meeting, where Methodist preachers and/or circuit riders, would gather as many people as would come and deliver a sermon on righteous living. And an invitation was given for people to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This right relationship is salvation or whatever name you wish to call it. Salvation is what God does when we surrender to Him and turn over to Him our sins. God saves us from our sins. And God saves us to a life of abundant living (John 10:10).
The epistle reading for this week stresses that. We should give thanks to God for Jesus Christ. God's mercy was shown to us in the "new birth" (born again??) that led us into a "living hope" because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We were made heirs of that which is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you." And those who believe this are being watched over and protected by God's power for this salvation that is coming at the last day. And this should bring us rejoicing in spite of what we are enduring or suffering at this moment.
Christ has invited us to a living faith that helps us with whatever the world may throw at us; hope in spite of unrest and doubt; joy in spite of great sorrows; peace in spite of turmoil; and love when it seems no one really cares. Yes, this is salvation/new birth living, and yes, we should be able to find it in all churches that profess Christ as Lord and Savior.
We may not physically see Jesus but we love Him; we may not see Him now, but we believe in Him, and all that serves to bring us unmeasurable joy as a result of our faith which began with our salvation. (v. 9).
Live a life that invites others to faith. Say the words that help build up people to a new hope. Pray the words that bless you into becoming a blessing for others.
PRAYER: Lord of all, help me to live the life that invites others to faith; grant me words of life affirmation especially around those who are about to give up on life. And help me become a person of faith that blesses You and Yours. In Christ Jesus' Holy Name I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
