Salvation

Salvation

For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross.

Colossians 1:19-20

I reserve one small drawer in my dresser for papers and notes that hold special meaning to me. Recently I noticed that the drawer was getting a little messy, so I decided to sort through the contents, getting rid of whatever I could and tidying the rest.

As you might imagine, I got caught up in reading the notes and appreciating the memories. One item that I’ll never part with was given to me by my oldest son, Chad, when he was six. It consists of several small pieces of notebook paper that Chad cut, fashioned, and taped into the shape of a cross. On the cross, Chad drew a stick figure picture of Jesus, with nails through his hands and feet—and a smile on his face.

“The cross,” says Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “is God’s truth about us, and therefore it is the only power which can make us truthful. When we know the cross, we are no longer afraid of the truth.” Embracing the truth of the cross has made a difference in Chad’s priorities. Because of the cross, Chad finds service to Christ more important than money, power, or pleasure. Because of the cross, Chad cares about other people’s hearts. I’m grateful the cross of Christ had an impact on Chad’s young heart at the age of six and that it continues to have an impact on him today at twenty-six.

Father,

Thank you that we can have peace with you because of Jesus’ death on the cross. Thank you that the truth of the cross is life changing. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.