Salvation Stories in Scripture (special thanks to Brother Teague for the outline of this commentary)
We all know that there are stories of salvation throughout Scripture, but some of them are not where we expect to find them in my opinion.There is one such story that has a real message of salvation if we delve into the meat of the Scripture.
This “story” is found in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5, versus 1-20.It is the story of the man possessed with devils which were so many their name was Legion.
What we learn of this man is that he dwelled in the Tombs, among the dead.This is the place he sought to live.Consider that those living in sin, also seek to live among the dead, in that they choose to live among those in the world who are dead to Christ because of sin having dominion over their lives.If ever there was a “dead man walking,” it is surely those who are living in sin without Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
We also see that he had no peace in his life.He was tormented always…..daily……continually by the deamons within.As him, those who live their lives in sin are without the “inner peace” they so desparately seek.Regardless of how much fortune or fame they possess, it will not provide them with the “inner peace” that can only come from Jesus Christ.
We also learn, that even for the worst of sinners, for the worst of us, there is ALWAYS hope!That hope is Jesus Christ.
Let us now look at what happened to this man when he met Jesus……it’s a wonderous story of salvation indeed!
FIRST: His consecration:This man saw Jesus from afar off, and he did not wait on Jesus to come to him.No, he ran to Jesus.Just as those seeking salvation must choose to turn to/run to Jesus and confess their sins.This man delt with “doubts.”What would Jesus do with him?How would Jesus receive him?Would Jesus refuse to receive him?Turn him away? Many people I have spoken to of Christ had these same doubts.Knowing how they had lived in sin, the things they had said and done, how could Jesus ever receive them with open arms of love.The way to overcome these doubts is through “faith.”Believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do.It’s the only way to overcome such doubts.
This man also had fears.Fears of not being able to do all that would be asked/required of him once he was saved.Many new believers have these same fears.Can I walk Christ-like?Can I truly turn away from my past and the sin filled life I led?Can I truly serve Christ and be an effective witness of the Gospel?Can I live my life without sinning?Living a sin free life seems impossible, and more than a few will say it is impossible.But Scripture gives us the blue print for living a sin free life if we will follow the instructions given therein.
The Apostle Paul said “I die daily.” And that is exactly what we must do.We must die daily to the old man and strive each and every day to live in Christ as Christ lives in us.Is it possible to live a lifetime sin free?No, probably not.Well, how about just one year?No, probably not.Ok, how about one month?No, probably not.So, can we live a sin free life for one week?No, probably not.Goodness, then how can we live a sin free life?How about one day?
YES!The Good News is we can live a sin free life for ONE DAY if we strive throughout that day to live Christ-like.Thus Paul said “I die daily.”ONE DAY AT A TIME is how we can achieve a sin free life.Jesus Himselfspoke of this when He said “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof…..”
SECOND, His conversion:When this man came to Jesus and acknowledged what he was, Jesus “expelled” the evil spirits… sin from this man.He was made whole by the Grace of God.So are new Christians made whole “born anew” upon their confession and acceptance of Jesus into their lives.This rebirth has a life changing effect upon that person’s life just as it had a life changing effect upon this man.While the “spiritual rebirth” of a new believer cannot be seen with the human eye, the effects of the “spiritual rebirth” are abundant for ALL to see.They die to the old man and put on the new.Their lives, their words, their deeds are all changed from the old to the new.
Salvation, being born again is surely a spiritual “inward” act, but it truly has an “outward” effect upon new believers.
THIRD, His commission:Notice that this man wanted to go with Jesus.He wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus and walk and talk and learn from Him.Jesus however, had a plan for this man and his life.Jesus “commissioned” this man to “Go forth!”Jesus sent him home to witness to all there what wondrous works Jesus Christ had done in his life……….and that is what he did…….and all who heard “marveled.”Just as new believers must not strive for what they want, rather they must seek God’s will for their lives and be obedient to His will and do His will.And all who hear will marvel.One of the greatest witnesses a Christian has to the world is how they live their daily lives.How they walk day by day, one day at a time Christ-like!It is a powerful and life changing witness.
One final point is that we are not saved to “sit and wait.”We are saved to “serve!”God has a plan for every one of His children and everyone of His children must seek to do His will.
God bless…….
We all know that there are stories of salvation throughout Scripture, but some of them are not where we expect to find them in my opinion.There is one such story that has a real message of salvation if we delve into the meat of the Scripture.
This “story” is found in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 5, versus 1-20.It is the story of the man possessed with devils which were so many their name was Legion.
What we learn of this man is that he dwelled in the Tombs, among the dead.This is the place he sought to live.Consider that those living in sin, also seek to live among the dead, in that they choose to live among those in the world who are dead to Christ because of sin having dominion over their lives.If ever there was a “dead man walking,” it is surely those who are living in sin without Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
We also see that he had no peace in his life.He was tormented always…..daily……continually by the deamons within.As him, those who live their lives in sin are without the “inner peace” they so desparately seek.Regardless of how much fortune or fame they possess, it will not provide them with the “inner peace” that can only come from Jesus Christ.
We also learn, that even for the worst of sinners, for the worst of us, there is ALWAYS hope!That hope is Jesus Christ.
Let us now look at what happened to this man when he met Jesus……it’s a wonderous story of salvation indeed!
FIRST: His consecration:This man saw Jesus from afar off, and he did not wait on Jesus to come to him.No, he ran to Jesus.Just as those seeking salvation must choose to turn to/run to Jesus and confess their sins.This man delt with “doubts.”What would Jesus do with him?How would Jesus receive him?Would Jesus refuse to receive him?Turn him away? Many people I have spoken to of Christ had these same doubts.Knowing how they had lived in sin, the things they had said and done, how could Jesus ever receive them with open arms of love.The way to overcome these doubts is through “faith.”Believing that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do.It’s the only way to overcome such doubts.
This man also had fears.Fears of not being able to do all that would be asked/required of him once he was saved.Many new believers have these same fears.Can I walk Christ-like?Can I truly turn away from my past and the sin filled life I led?Can I truly serve Christ and be an effective witness of the Gospel?Can I live my life without sinning?Living a sin free life seems impossible, and more than a few will say it is impossible.But Scripture gives us the blue print for living a sin free life if we will follow the instructions given therein.
The Apostle Paul said “I die daily.” And that is exactly what we must do.We must die daily to the old man and strive each and every day to live in Christ as Christ lives in us.Is it possible to live a lifetime sin free?No, probably not.Well, how about just one year?No, probably not.Ok, how about one month?No, probably not.So, can we live a sin free life for one week?No, probably not.Goodness, then how can we live a sin free life?How about one day?
YES!The Good News is we can live a sin free life for ONE DAY if we strive throughout that day to live Christ-like.Thus Paul said “I die daily.”ONE DAY AT A TIME is how we can achieve a sin free life.Jesus Himselfspoke of this when He said “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof…..”
SECOND, His conversion:When this man came to Jesus and acknowledged what he was, Jesus “expelled” the evil spirits… sin from this man.He was made whole by the Grace of God.So are new Christians made whole “born anew” upon their confession and acceptance of Jesus into their lives.This rebirth has a life changing effect upon that person’s life just as it had a life changing effect upon this man.While the “spiritual rebirth” of a new believer cannot be seen with the human eye, the effects of the “spiritual rebirth” are abundant for ALL to see.They die to the old man and put on the new.Their lives, their words, their deeds are all changed from the old to the new.
Salvation, being born again is surely a spiritual “inward” act, but it truly has an “outward” effect upon new believers.
THIRD, His commission:Notice that this man wanted to go with Jesus.He wanted to sit at the feet of Jesus and walk and talk and learn from Him.Jesus however, had a plan for this man and his life.Jesus “commissioned” this man to “Go forth!”Jesus sent him home to witness to all there what wondrous works Jesus Christ had done in his life……….and that is what he did…….and all who heard “marveled.”Just as new believers must not strive for what they want, rather they must seek God’s will for their lives and be obedient to His will and do His will.And all who hear will marvel.One of the greatest witnesses a Christian has to the world is how they live their daily lives.How they walk day by day, one day at a time Christ-like!It is a powerful and life changing witness.
One final point is that we are not saved to “sit and wait.”We are saved to “serve!”God has a plan for every one of His children and everyone of His children must seek to do His will.
God bless…….
