Title: Work Out Today's Salvation / Luke 23:43
Content: Work out your salvation today / Luke 23:43
Key Verse: “Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise” (verse 43).
Word: The world is at war right now. There are currently 37 civil wars and wars taking place on Earth. The war that the world is paying attention to is the war in Iraq. There is little fear that the conflict between the United States and Britain, a country based on Christian faith, and the former civilizations of Iraq, an Islamic country, will spread into a world religious war. What is surprising is President Bush's devout faith. How should we interpret Bush's decision to war by quoting the Bible in his daily sermons as well as Sunday worship services?
In any case, it is clear that Christianity must be the salvation of life, freedom, peace, and life in any case (John 8:32,14;27). Even now, we must wake up and pray for world peace and national well-being.
The source of Christian freedom, peace and life is the cross. The cross is the source of salvation. Jesus Christ says “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). This is the ‘presentity of salvation’. When we say “salvation,” we often only understand that we die and go to heaven. But salvation must be understood holistically. Salvation has three tenses. The first is 'past salvation'. You become a child of God through the spiritual change that comes the moment you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Christ (Ephesians 2:8). Another is 'future salvation'. It is the glorious and perfect salvation that is accomplished in heaven after believing in Jesus (8:23). Finally, there is ‘present salvation’. As those who have already believed in Jesus and have been saved (children of God), we hope for the perfect salvation in the future and fulfill today's salvation in our present life.
Eunha Yoo, a Korean who entered the battlefield as a human shield from the Iraqi Anti-war and Peace Team, is a devoted sister to an Islamic missionary. She is said to have said this to her close comrades in the faith as she left for battle.
“As a person dedicated to Islamic missions, in the war started by America, some Christians must go there and die with them, so that someone can do Islamic missions again.”
What is the Christian faith to you? Where are you using the blessings and strength you have gained through your Christian faith? Now you too must submit to the spirit of the cross of Jesus. We must work out our salvation today with fear and trembling.
Prayer: Lord, give me a deep interest in one little person today. Pray for him today and serve him with honesty, truth and love. Help me to silently do what I can do today where there is poverty and suffering, conflict and war. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Lord's Prayer