In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.
New International Version (NIV)
I received an invitation in my email to debate an Imam from Saudi Arabia. The person who issued the invitation must have felt confidence that I would lose such a debate. I do not believe that people are argued into salvation. We can prove others wrong in their beliefs, but the way we do it may make them less inclined to believe in Jesus.
Years ago Houston Baptist University invited representatives of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity to come and have an interfaith dialogue. I was invited to be part of the panel discussion. They asked me to represent Christianity. I was glad because I would not have been a good advocate for the other ones at all. We were cordial and kind to each other. At one point I followed the Buddhist monk who explained that all people suffer and that Buddhism teaches all suffering is meaningless. This looked like a fastball over the plate to me: I agreed with my fellow panelist that suffering is universal, but I pointed out that Christians serve the God who suffered victoriously so that our suffering might never be meaningless.
The writer of Hebrews will say more than once that Jesus, the source of our salvation was made perfect through suffering. He did this to bring many sons and daughters to glory. I cannot promise you that you will not suffer. But because Jesus suffered, our suffering is never in vain. In truth we have the same Father so Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. What if our suffering, far from diminishing God’s love actually demonstrates his perfect, perfecting love for all of us? You may suffer in this life, but because of Jesus’ suffering our suffering will never be in vain.
Pray with me:
Father, we thank you for Jesus who suffered and died on our behalf. When we suffer, show us again the Source of our Salvation, our suffering Savior so that we may grow in our faith and trust in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we! Joyfully, Duane
Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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