by David Brenneman
We often look for, look up to, others because of their achievements or their sacrifice. The very term "hero" has that connotation.
The Greatest, who gave the most, in the most selfless way, hands down is Jesus.
Honestly, look at what the Bible says about who can save, outside of Christ, nobody. Look at what the criteria begins with, perfection. No human is able to claim that outside of Jesus. Look at His life we see in the Gospels. His conduct, His love, His sacrifice.
Reality is this: some of the smartest, wisest, incredibly beautiful people are in Hell. Some of the most selfless, sacrificial people are in Hell. If being a good person could save then most of the 4 Gospels and a great deal of the sufferings of the Church wouldn't have happened. Truth be known Satan wouldn't have given a care. He wouldn't have felt threatened in the least because there would be no reason for him to be.
Jesus's birth signaled the demise of the rule of Satan. His every day He spent alive another day closer to what was written of Jesus that was going to come to pass. Satan tried setting out to murder Jesus from day 1.
Think long and hard about this. If Satan considered the fulfillment of Jesus's ministry that grave a threat, then by God, you neef to look into why.
Before the Great Flood as written in Genesis, mankind was the most intelligent he ever would be. Those generations of mankind were protected from most of the aging process due to exposure to the sun's radiation. They had nearly 100% use of their brains because there was no degradation from that same said radiation. With no troubles from health they likely were incredibly beautiful. They were made certainly in the image of God as written.
We have whole segments of our culture going after health and fitness, many obsessed with it all. Thinking it will prolong life. Thinking it will be the answer key to a successful life in this world. That it will unlock happiness. That it will help make them a better person on the outside so it would make them a better person on the inside.
Being a better person is admirable. Being one thinking it would be enough to get into Heaven isn't going to work.
As its written if deeds were enough then Christ died needlessly. Once someone is able enough to understand right from wrong they're able enough to understand that their works cannot save them. They need someone greater. They need a Savior which is Christ Jesus.
Satan's not wanting Jesus to return. He certainly is wanting to take even more control of this world. He wants what's only due to God. Adoration and worship. He wants the Throne of God.
He also wants all who have not come to Christ for salvation.
He isn't the greatest. Jesus defeated him by coming back from the dead. Putting an end to his reign. Making a way for you and I to be saved without our trying to be good enough. We inherit His righteousness when we come to Jesus to be saved. He forgives our sins and remembers them no more. His Spirit seals us in Christ. Our names are written in the Lamb's book of Life. All that remains is the harvest of God. All that remains is Believer's seeking others to show them what the Greatest did for them if only they too would believe.
In human history there is really only that amount of time between now and the Rapture plus 1,007 years. That's it. When Jesus does return and that's put in motion it's only 7 years of the Judgments of God followed by 1,000 years of Jesus Himself ruling here on Earth over all mankind.
Your striving to be good in God's eyes is chasing after the wind. My Dear Reader it gets you nothing. Without agreeing with God that you need the free gift of salvation in Christ Jesus alone, you're doing life in vain. Even trying to life a life in all goodness will not save you. Being the richest most sacrificial person alive is considered rubbish. Salvation is in Christ Jesus alone. His righteousness achieved what ours cannot.
I know people who love to be around Christians who just won't come to Him to be saved. They do all kinds of things 'for God'. Jesus expressly tells a great many people in the day of Judgment to depart from Him for He never knew them. It didn't matter their achievements. Didn't matter how great the world thought they were.
The Greatest is the One who conquered sin, death and the grave. The Greatest is He who put an end to sin. The Greatest will be returning to finish what was started.
Let go of your ideas on being hopeful that your being a good person will maybe save you.
You need to admit you cannot and that you need what Jesus is offering to you. It doesn't mean you're giving up on living life, it means you'll find out what living life really is about.
In Romans it says: "But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”".
Call on the Greatest to be the Savior you need. Hero's come and go. In Christ we have forever the One who sacrificed the most who gave the most who loved with an everlasting love. He can't love you any more than He does and cannot love you any less. In the Court of God He's willing to take your guilty verdict. To take that death sentence upon Himself if only you would choose to accept Him as your Savior.
Today we honor those who sacrificed much to enable people to be free in this world. Jesus sacrificed the most and came back to tell us that it's finished. Salvation is here. It's free to all who would come to Christ for it.
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