Today I was reflecting back to the loss of my young brother-in-law, and reminded of the comfort the Lord brought to our family in that time. I was led to Eph 2:4-8 which reads, "4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— "
As I read this verse I was reminded of God's infinite love, mercy and awesome power. Multiple times Jesus spoke to the dead, and called them to life and relationship with Him. We are fully reliant on His great gift, His grace, to experience salvation. Verse 8 says it so perfectly - its by grace, through faith (which is not even from ourselves, but a gift of God) that we are saved.
It is God's choice who He saves! It is His free gift! He made us all alive, even when we were dead in our transgressions and sin. The timing of His salvation, who can judge? He clearly didn't pay the price for my sins right before I repented and gave my life to Him. He had paid the price for me and extended the gift of salvation to me before any of my sins were registered against me. I find this truth amazing and comforting... God alone decides who He extends the gift of salvation to, and He is the one who has already paid the price for each of us.
I kind of think its like paying for something before its ever created - like commissioning a new sculpture for instance - paying for it completely ahead of time. From the moment the sculpture is started, it is owned by the investor. When the sculpture is completed, its up to the investor to collect it, the timing of when and how is up to the one who owned it all along. There is no doubt it will happen, for the debt has already been paid, its just a matter of time.
I like to think this is how the gift of salvation works for us. We have already been paid for, set free from our debt of sin. Its only a matter of His timing that allows us to meet the one who paid our debts. I also think its totally possible that Jesus can speak to the dead and they can respond, for we, like them, were all dead in our transgressions and we heard His voice. Death is only a door to Christ for He has passed through and come back - He holds the keys (Rev 1:18).
Jesus, You are truly amazing and beyond all our abilities to comprehend!
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