Do You Have Understanding ?
Southaven, Ms
By: Mike Upchurch
There are many commanding verses penned by King Solomon in the book of Proverbs, but this one caught my attention the other day…..
“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
Proverbs 4:7
Well, have you gotten understanding?
Webster’s defines understanding as having a mental grasp. And further defines it as the power of comprehending.
In considering Solomon’s command though, we’re speaking of the power of comprehending God and His plan of salvation for us. We’re talking today about having a mental grasp of salvation.
Do you understand salvation? Do you comprehend what it means to be saved?
Honestly it’s not rocket science. It simply means that you’re saved from Hell. You’re saved from eternal punishment. You’re saved from a life of despair, depression, torment and spiritual death. And you’re saved from yourself and your soul’s desire to self destruct in accordance with the nature of sin we’re born into.
Being saved in the biblical sense also means that “someone” has saved you. You can’t save yourself. You can’t escape punishment because of your “clean” life. Your good behavior doesn’t save you! Ever!
That’s the beauty of salvation; you can’t earn it. It is a gift. Look at Paul’s comment to the Church at Ephesus in the New Living Translation…
“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
It’s not a reward for the good things we have done! I couldn’t have said it any better. You can’t ever earn it!
IT IS A GIFT!
A gift straight from the heart of the Heavenly Father. He created us, and He wanted fellowship with His creation! But there was a problem. No flesh can approach a holy God. We needed a holy Savior! Enter Jesus! His sinless life and HIS righteousness saves us! Having escaped the curse of sin by being born without an earthly father, He then possessed the ability to die for US instead of dying for His own sins, because He had also committed none while on earth.
But in order to receive the free gift of salvation, there is something you must do; you do have a part. You must accept the fact that Jesus is who He says He is; the Son of God. You must also believe He died in your place and took the punishment for your sins intended for you. And you must confess your sins and turn away from them!
Honestly, it’s as easy as ABC, and I’m adding the letter D.
Accept
Believe
Confess
Die to self
Thank God salvation is that simple. Thank God we don’t have to live isolated lives of sacrifice in the mountains of Tibet. Thank God we don’t have to throw our children into a volcano. Be grateful we don’t have to cut ourselves or torture ourselves to be saved! We don’t even have to memorize the Bible! (Though that’s not a bad idea!)
We just have to accept God’s free gift of Jesus’ righteousness and then live for Him. We just need to believe!
Do you now have understanding?
Salvation; it is the simple Gospel Message and it is indeed good news for mankind!
And that’s the way I see it!
Pastor Mike
