The Level Playing Field

Matthew 19:25-26 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This conversation between Jesus and His disciples came because of the interaction of Jesus with the wealthy young man who appeared unable to give up his wealth to follow Jesus.

I think the disciples were like most of us – we feel like the possession of money must surely have some value in life. Surely it should be able to give one success and happiness, if nothing else.

This rich man had everything we would think you need to succeed. 

He was young.

He was religious.

He was wealthy.

How could that combination not be a successful one? 

What Jesus reminds us, however, is that salvation is totally a work of God. 

There is nothing that we can bring to the table, so to speak, as a bargaining chip towards salvation and eternal life in heaven. 

Even what we think ought to be, or could be, leverage for us, has no real value because God is the source of our salvation. 

It certainly levels the playing field of salvation for all of mankind because no one has an advantage over others when it comes to who can have salvation.

It all depends on our decision to let God have all we are and all we have.

It all depends on our decision to put aside our youth, or health, or wealth, or religiosity, as secondary to God's request for our heart, our devotion, our repentance.

 

My New Name

Isaiah 62:2b You shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.

When a person commits themselves to follow God and honor Him in their life, it changes them in many ways – how they live, how they think, how they respond to life experiences. We find this concept all through the Bible, culminating in the teaching of Paul when he said that in Christ, we are made a new creation(2 Corinthians 5:17). In Revelation we are told that wen we get to heaven God will give each of us a new name (Revelation 2:17). 

I see the same thing here in Isaiah 62. The new names mentioned in this chapter tell me a lot about what God wants to do in my heart and life if I will let Him. My new names include:

* My Delight (v.4) – Instead of being opposed to God and God to me, I become His delight … He enjoys my company.

* Married (v.4) – Married is what a man and a woman in love do to cement their relationship and commitment to one another. God is committed to me for eternity. He has sealed that commitment to our relationship through Jesus’ sacrifice.

* Holy People (v.12) – Because of the blood of Jesus covering my sin, as a believer I have been made holy in God’s perspective. I am not perfect, but God considers me to be holy, set apart for Him.

* Redeemed Of The Lord (v.12) – The Bible makes it clear that the Messiah came to make the ultimate sacrifice for sin to buy us back from our enemy Satan. When I put my faith in Jesus, His payment went into effect for me so that I was redeemed – bought back – for freedom from slavery to sin.

* Sought out (v.12) – To be sought out means that someone has looked specifically for something and found it. I see that as something God has done for me, and this name tells me how important I am to Him.

* A City Not Forsaken (v.12) – To be forsaken is to be left alone, to be desolate. It is certainly a sad word. This name turns that all around. God has not left me alone to fend for myself in this life. I am not desolate because I have all the benefits of being in God’s care and keeping.

My spiritual birth certificate would be an interesting one if I were to see it: Spiritual Birthplace, Ravenna, Ohio; spiritual Birthdate, sometime in 1954; Name: Jo Ann My Delight Married Holy Redeemed South Out Not Forsaken Piotter. I guess that would make a pretty big gravestone when I leave this earthly life, also!