Christian Reflection and Prayer

by Anne Cetas

Scripture:

Read: Romans 5:12-21

God demonstrates His own love toward
us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

Reflection:

Four people—a pilot, a professor, a pastor,
and a hiker—were flying in a small plane
when the engines died. The pilot said,
“There are only three parachutes. Since
this is my plane, I’m taking one of them.
” He put it on and jumped out. The professor
said, “I’m brilliant and the world needs me,
so I’m taking a parachute,” and he jumped
out.

Then the pastor told the hiker, “I don’t want
to be selfish, so you take the last parachute.
” The hiker replied, “There are still two left,
so we can each have one. The professor
jumped out with my backpack instead of the
parachute!” Though the professor thought he
would land safely, his assurance was based
on faulty thinking.

Some people have an assurance of salvation
based on faulty thinking. They believe that
church attendance, baptism, or just being
good will gain them approval from God. But
our thinking is faulty if it isn’t based on what
God says in His Word. God says that “all
 have sinned” and that we are His enemies.
But through the death and resurrection of His
Son, we can be made right with God
(Rom. 3:23; 5:8-10). By faith in what Christ
has done, we can have peace with God (5:1)
and the assurance of eternal life in heaven.

Do you believe it? Your eternity is at stake.
Don’t trust faulty thinking but put your faith in
Christ.I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus—
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free. —Havergal

Remember:
If we could earn our salvation, Christ would not
have died to provide it

(from Our Daily Bread)